–better equipped to comfort frustrated farmers

THE government’s support to flood-affected farmers seems to be going far beyond providing tangible aid; as a matter of fact, efforts are being made to ensure that Extension Officers attached to the National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI) are properly trained to deal with farmers in a more sensitive and humane manner.
According to Pooran Seeraj, Head of NAREI’s Extension Services, the agency has recognised the impact of the floods on more than just crops and livelihoods; he said that farmers have begun to rely on agricultural extension officers for hope and courage to persevere.

As a result, NAREI has initiated training sessions to ensure that extension officers across the country are able to adjust and function effectively as psychological support systems for the communities they serve.
Aaron Ramroop, Coordinator of NAREI’s Hinterland Services, attested to the fact that these unprecedented floods have highlighted the importance of extension officers in the lives of farmers who require support that go beyond the provision of material aid.

“Extension is not just transfer and technology alone,” Ramroop said during a recent interview with this newspaper.
He indicated that the mere presence of extension officers in the various communities provide a critical level of comfort to farmers. “And that is really needed at this point, because what we are seeing in these times is that farmers are very much frustrated,” Ramroop added.

He said that simple things such as a comforting approach and lending a listening ear could mean the world to a struggling farmer in these devastating times.
It was explained that even though most of the physical trainings are being administered along the flooded coastal regions, extension officers in the hinterland and other far-flung regions are being trained virtually to provide the kind of assistance that is needed during this period.

It was just recently that reports surfaced of a Corentyne, Berbice rice farmer taking his own life as a result of frustrations caused by the floods, and his inability to fulfil his debt payments as a result of the significant losses he and his family suffered.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with other members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, has reiterated their support for all households suffering from the floods that have so far lasted for seven weeks.

In addition to providing immediate flood-relief packages and guidance, Dr. Ali has expressed his administration’s commitment towards the recovery phases and ensuring that all flood-affected households are able to recover from the ongoing disaster.
“The losses you have occurred…the government will help you to get back on your feet again,” President Ali previously assured.

He had indicated also that the government has no intentions of making empty promises and then “disappearing” when the waters recede. “That is not how we are going to operate…we care about you; we care about your losses and we intend to take action to help you,” the President emphasized. He said too that government’s support will come in the form of short-, medium- and long-term measures.

Further, the government has also moved to engage various financial institutions, including banks and other lending agencies, to mobilise increased support for persons whose entire lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by the floodwaters which have exceeded 15 feet in some communities.
It was only on Thursday last that Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, announced that the number of flood-affected households has progressed to 51,578 households; this translates to approximately 25 per cent of all households in Guyana.

She reminded that ever since the floods started, government officials, including the President himself, wasted no time in mobilising support for those affected. She said that in the first phase of the support, the priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all Guyanese. This entails the continued provision of food, sanitary and medical hampers to all affected households and shelters.
Teixeira indicated that so far, the government, with the support of several private entities, has distributed at least 62,574 food and 25,440 cleaning hampers. As it is, President Ali said that recovery initiatives are being designed, and will be rolled out once the floodwaters recede and persons can begin to rebuild.