-milk plant, repairs to drainage network discussed

Effective drainage is critical for development to take place and cognizant of the fact, the Ministry of Agriculture has embarked on a rigorous farmers outreach exercise programme aimed at addressing some of the problems affecting farmers.Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder accompanied by a team of technical officers conducted what his ministry described as a successful outreach exercise in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary areas to have dialogue with farmers to bring much needed relief to those affected. According to the ministry the first meeting which was held at Biaboo Bridge, Branch Road Mahaica attracted a number of farmers, who raised issues relating the drainage and construction of access dams. Holder said these are critical to enable farmers not only access to lands, but to ensure water from the canals do not affect their livelihood.

Despite the recently heavy downpour experienced over the past weeks farmers have not complained about major losses in the region as result of prior work done by the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). However, additional request were made to the Agriculture Minister to have a dam at Davis rehabilitated.
General Manager, Mahaica Mahaicony and Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Mr. Aubrey Charles was instructed by the Minister to have a cost analysis done, subsequently after which works will commence to have the situation rectified. This is based on the cost of the works to be done as presently the MMA/ADA is cash-strapped due to farmers not paying land lease, the ministry said in a release.
According to the ministry it has since proposed an increase in land rate fee which presently stands at $2500 per acre annually for the last 18 years. Farmers at the meeting made a request that the implementation of the rate increase to be done gradually over a period of time. Another issue which took center stage was the rehabilitation of a koker door at Riverdam. Minister Holder committed to ensuring not only that the koker will be fixed, but that the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary rivers will be dredged to avoid siltation.
Interest in the establishment of a milk plant was also made by cattle farmers, who noted that such a move augurs well for the livestock industry and the advancement of value-added production. As such, the Agriculture Minister informed the farmers that a team of officials is expected in February to have the proposal finalised. Once this stage is completed, the Ministry of Agriculture will move to have consultation with farmers to have the plant operationalised.
Similar issues were raised at the meetings held at Strath Campbell Primary School, Mahaicony and Hopetown Flat School, Abary respectively. The Agriculture Minister used the opportunity to highlight additional programmes which will be implemented by the ministry this year, to deliver the much needed support to farmers.
The Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. George Jervis, General Manager, MMA/ADA, Mr. Aubrey Charles, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Mr. Nigel Cumberbatch, Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, Mr. Frederick Flatts and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, Dr. Oudho Homenauth. Member of Parliament, Mrs, Jennifer Wade and officers of the Regional Democratic Council were also in attendance.