Agriculture Minster: Guyana in ‘conservation’ period

GUYANA has had less than normal levels of rain this year, according to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who added that the agriculture sector is in a “conservation” period.“We are in conservation period. Every ounce of water at this time is critical, because in spite of people joking about El Nino, this is a real issue,” he said, adding that the El Nino advisory should be taken seriously.
Dr. Ramsammy noted that Guyana has had some rain, but in comparison with previous years, the rainfall has been reduced.
“It is true we have had some rain; we have had rain in periods we did not expect rain. The May/ une rains were not as much as we expected, but then in July/ August we had more rain…still it was less rain compared to the previous year,” he said.
According to him, any unnecessary release of water from the conservancy is ill advised and all farmers should take the necessary precautions.
The Ministry of Agriculture, after consultation with its Hydro-Meteorological Office and taking into consideration predictions from various regional and international forecasting and weather agencies, in May, issued an El Nino Watch.
Additionally, in late April, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned countries that the possibility of a severe El Nino must be heeded.
Climatologists and weather forecasters predicted an El Nino for the Americas, starting in July, and intensifying towards October and December. The prediction, as of this time is that it could be a serious El Nino with severe droughts in many parts of the Americas.
Guyana has been a victim and continues to be a victim of climate change, but has taken steps to adapt to the challenges.

(Vanessa Narine)