WATER conservation, feed storage and coordinated information-sharing are among the key measures being pursued as cattle farmers and the government intensify preparations for a potentially prolonged El Niño-induced dry season expected to place significant pressure on Guyana’s livestock industry.
Cattle farmers are working with the Ministry of Agriculture and other state agencies to develop strategies aimed at protecting livestock, preserving feed supplies and cushioning the wider meat industry against the anticipated effects of drought.
The preparations were among issues discussed at a recent El Niño preparedness forum hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Guyana Hydrometeorological Service (Hydromet).
Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Veterinarian and representative of the West Berbice Cattle Farmers Association, Dr Nardeo Bassoodeo, said sustained collaboration between farmers and the government would be crucial as the country prepares for the uncertain conditions associated with El Niño.
He explained that prolonged drought could have far-reaching consequences, affecting the health and survival of cattle, the availability of pasture and feed, and potentially the price of meat on the local market.
According to Dr Bassoodeo, the central objective is to ensure that farmers are prepared before conditions worsen.
“For the El Niño that is coming up, we know that this is going to be a long drought,” he said, noting that while weather systems can provide projections, it is difficult to determine exactly when the full effects will be felt.
He stressed the importance of two-way communication between livestock farmers and the authorities.
“The Government of Guyana and, as Guyanese, have to ensure that the government hears our needs and what our suggestions are, and we also hear what they are doing on their part,” Dr Bassoodeo said.
Hydromet has projected that dry conditions could extend into the first quarter of 2027, prompting increased preparations across the agriculture sector.
Although the anticipated drought could be among the longest experienced by the country, Dr Bassoodeo said Guyana has dealt with prolonged dry spells before and already has systems that can be activated to respond to natural hazards.
Having experienced previous El Niño events since 2008, he said the current focus is on activating existing mechanisms early and strengthening coordination between farmers, extension officers and government agencies.
“The government has a set of systems that are activated during a certain period of time,” he explained, adding that similar mechanisms are employed in responding to floods, droughts and other natural disasters.
“What we are doing here is minimising the impact of El Niño,” he said.
A key component of the preparedness effort, he noted, is strengthening the exchange of information through agricultural extension programmes across the country.
By ensuring farmers know which agencies and officials are responsible for various aspects of the response, authorities hope to establish a smoother flow of information and allow preventative measures to be implemented before conditions become critical.
Water conservation is expected to be among the most important strategies for livestock farmers during the dry season.
However, Dr Bassoodeo cautioned that simply providing pools of water for animals could create additional risks.
He explained that weakened cattle could become trapped in muddy areas surrounding water sources, potentially resulting in injuries or death.
“They may not die of the drought, but they can die of getting stuck,” he said, highlighting the need for carefully planned and safe watering systems.
Maintaining pasture and securing adequate supplies of animal feed will also be critical, as prolonged dry conditions could severely affect grass production.
“The drought is one because we know that we are not going to have enough water. But is our pasture going to get enough water? We are not going to have proper pasture,” Dr Bassoodeo said.
To address the potential shortage of feed, farmers and the government are exploring plans to bale and store straw from the current rice crop for use as livestock feed during the drought.
“We are going to start baling the straw from the current rice crop to store it so that we can also give it to animals as feed,” he said.
Some farmers already own balers, while the government also has equipment available, creating an opportunity for a coordinated effort to increase feed reserves ahead of the dry season.
Dr Bassoodeo said preparations are also extending beyond immediate water and feed concerns, with farmers and authorities examining broader strategies to minimise potential disruptions to the livestock and meat industries.
These discussions include whether cattle fattening programmes should continue at the same pace and whether increased poultry production may be necessary should beef supplies decline.
The consequences of failing to adequately prepare, he warned, could eventually be felt by consumers.
“During this period of time, when you are having these types of effects, it can also have an effect on the price of meat in the market. The commodity price will also spike,” Dr Bassoodeo said.
With the prospect of a prolonged dry season ahead, he said the ongoing collaboration between farmers and government agencies will be essential in ensuring that livestock producers are equipped with the information, resources and practical systems needed to withstand the effects of El Niño and reduce the impact on Guyana’s agricultural sector and consumers.
