–    according to RPA General Secretary
THERE is ‘a major problem’ with regard to the integrity of access dams in rice producing regions across Guyana, according to General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj. Seeraj said heavy duty equipment is being mobilized to shore up the dams and improve accessibility to and from rice fields.

Harvesting of the spring crop has been severely affected by the deterioration in the condition  of the access dams due to the excessive rains caused by the La Nina phenomenon.
Seeraj further pointed out that not only lands under cultivation, but residential areas are also being affected where the dams have been overtopped and cash crop gardens inundated.
The RPA General Secretary maintained that all efforts for support are being made.
The rainfall amounts, according to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, have surpassed the 2005 levels by 45 percent, but efforts are continuing to ensure that there is not a repeat of the 2005 disaster.
Guyana’s drainage and irrigation capacity caters for 1.5 inches of rainfall, but the country is seeing as much as 8 inches of rainfall caused by the La Nina phenomenon.
For more information on the weather and related issues, persons can contact the Ministry’s hotline numbers: 223-7291, 227-5049 or text messaging at 691-000 and website www.agriculture.gov.gy. (Vanessa Narine)