By Michel Outridge

BELLADRUM is the place of agriculture, mainly rice and cash crops and is a community that is on the move.

Emile Wilson is the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Councillor for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), the Profit/Rising Sun catchment area.

He reported that within the past four years when the current administration took office they have seen a lot of development in the village, such as mud dams being transformed into all-weather roads and streets and proper drainage management.

Wilson is also a resident of Belladrum and he is very pleased with the progress of the village being referred to as the ‘breadbasket’ on that corridor, West Coast Berbice, because the main activity is rice farming on a large scale.

He added that many residents are employed by rice farmers; as such, they are able to provide for their families.

The councillor told the Pepperpot Magazine that many years ago, they had a system whereby they farmed on a small scale which consisted of cash crops and rice which was harvested once a year, but now with the introduction of newer rice varieties they get two crops of rice per year.

Wilson reported that rice farming wasn’t so expensive back then and depending on the rainfall, they would get two crops of rice per year, adding that it takes about 110 to 120 days per crop.

He stated that the NDC in Belladrum is mandated to oversee the residential area, but they do venture out in other areas to improve and upgrade drainage in which they would seek assistance from the NDIA and MMA/ADA to help farmers.

Wilson pointed out that as a boy growing up in Belladrum, the sea was far away from the village, but within recent times it is close to the land now and it has turned into a beach.

He stated that at the foreshore area there were some low patches that were vulnerable to overtopping, but they did some works by filling it up with earth so that is under control and the situation is not critical.

Wilson related that within the four-year period governed by the coalition administration, they have benefitted from well-paved roads and streets and presently, roads in several villages such as Washington, Paradise, Golden Fleece and El Dorado are being done.

The councillor stated that in El Dorado village, the first cross street is being asphalted and they are very thankful for such progress.

He disclosed that there is, however, the need for a sports club to promote sports in the village since the CoCo Banana Sports Club has collapsed.

Wilson said the village needs good ambassadors and the youths are playing their part to participate in sports such as football and cricket and they utilise the playing field at Paradise Village.

He added that the Paradise playfield is outfitted with floodlights and is a well-fenced area in which night sports take place.

Wilson pointed out too,that there are playfields at El Dorado and Weldaad villages.

Belladrum is home to about 5,000 residents, most of whom are small-business owners, and rice and cash-crop farmers.