IN THE current context of the phenomenon of global warming and climate change, where weather patterns could go haywire , the management of drainage and irrigation systems has become even more demanding, requiring increased priority.
One of the most successful periods in Guyana’s history for agriculture was between 1957 and 1964 when rice, sugar, ground provisions, vegetables and dairy production were booming.
During this period, rice production increased by 74% and milk and ground provisions became so abundant that the then opposition party promised in its 1964 election manifesto: “Not a soul shall go to bed hungry. Free cassava and milk.”
The agricultural success during this period was achieved because, among other things, there was tremendous emphasis on drainage and irrigation by the then People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.
Unfortunately, by the time the PPP again assumed office in 1992 after being ousted by overseas and local machinations in the December 1964 elections, the drainage and irrigation system was terribly rundown with the obvious result of plummeting production, resulting in an agricultural sector in tatters. So bad was the situation that chicken, eggs, milk and other items had to be imported to meet local demand.
With the return of a PPP-led government in 1992, strenuous efforts had to be made to reverse the chaotic agricultural situation, including a collapsed drainage and irrigation infrastructure.
However, because of the government’s commitment to the agriculture sector through innovative and visionary policies, the defects of the drainage and irrigation infrastructure have to a large extent been remedied and work is ongoing at a steady pace to further improve it.
Last Tuesday, a contract was signed with Courtney Benn Construction Services for the construction of a sluice at Profit in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) aimed at draining an area of 10,200 acres of lands used for rice, livestock and sugar cultivation.
The cost of the project is $139.5M and the consultancy supervisory contract is in the amount of $10 million.
The project entails a triple-door sluice to allow drainage of 10,200 acres of lands in the Abary and Berbice blocks of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary (MMA) scheme.
The construction of this new drainage structure is most timely and will be located in one of the problematic areas with respect to drainage, which is also in a large agricultural community.
And based on the climatic patterns, additional drainage capacity in the area is definitely needed to prevent crops being damaged whenever there is excessive rainfall.
As Chief Executive of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Rudolph Gajraj, noted, riverine drainage has always been a problem for the area.
He said the infrastructure for which the contract was signed will address the problem posed by riverine drainage. With the sluice, the area will be discharging excess water to the lower end of the Abary River.
According to Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, the new sluice, together with two others being constructed at Retrieve and at Cottage, will help the area reduce its dependency on the Mahaica and Mahaicony creeks for the drainage of agricultural lands.
A total of $457 million is being spent on the three sluices, with the Retrieve sluice being slated for completion within three weeks.
“We are watching those areas closely…as a result of the three investments we will improve 44,000 acres of lands. Region Five has the highest concentration of rice and livestock…this money [spent] is well deserved [and] is part of our efforts at adapting to climate change,” Mr. Persaud said.
In addition, construction on the Hope Canal, which will flow directly into the Atlantic from the East Demerara Water Conservancy, will begin soon and this will be a major boost to the drainage capacity in the Mahaica/Mahaicony areas where farmers have suffered tremendous losses as result of heavy rainfall.
It is to its credit that the government has been constantly upgrading and expanding the drainage and irrigation system which no doubt has significantly contributed to greater agricultural output.