GLOBAL food security is fast approaching critical levels as world population is racing towards the seven billion mark. This scenario is compounded with the effects of climate change which could have devastating effects on agricultural output. This is a real threat as we have witnessed several catastrophes in recent years which are climate-related.
More than one billion people — one sixth of the world’s population — suffer from chronic hunger. Without enough food, adults struggle to work and children struggle to learn. Global food supplies must increase by an estimated 50 percent to meet expected demand in the next 20 years. Advancing sustainable agricultural-led growth increases the availability of food, keeps food affordable, and raises the incomes of the poor.
This situation has prompted US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to remark:
“The question is not whether we can end hunger, it’s whether we will.”
Mrs. Clinton is correct but increased agricultural output is a key factor in ensuring food security. However, on the problematic areas with respect to increased agricultural production in many countries is the question of drainage and irrigation.
An effective and efficient drainage and irrigation system is indispensable to high levels of agricultural production therefore expending resources in this area should always be a priority.
The current government has acknowledged and recognized this, and it has been placing tremendous emphasis on drainage and irrigation in Guyana.

This, undoubtedly, resulted in the impressive increase in local food production, resulting in Guyana becoming self-sufficient in food and is now gearing towards becoming a major exporter.

The current People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-led government and previous PPP-led governments have all had a history of commitment to drainage and irrigation and, by extension, agriculture development.

One of the most outstanding pieces of agricultural transformation took place in the 1950s at Black Bush Polder in Berbice where swamplands were converted into a prime agricultural location and ever since has been a major Guyanese food basket.

This magnificent transformation came about mainly because of the implementation of an effective and efficient drainage system.

As a result, agricultural output climbed significantly with rice production increasing by 74% from 1957-1964.

This current PPP led government has not deviated from this path and from the time it came into office immediately began addressing the dilapidated drainage and irrigation systems across the country, which came about because of decades of gross neglect by the previous government.

Only a few days ago, brand new sluices were commissioned by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud – one each at Leguan and Wakenaam.
This is another testimony to the government’s commitment to continuously improve drainage and irrigation systems.

The Waterloo drainage sluice in Leguan is a reinforced concrete structure with a manually operated wooden gate.

The sluice, designed to drain 2,000 acres of farmland, which is half the amount of cultivated land in Leguan, was constructed at a cost of $93.4M. Apart from the sluice, the revetment was built leading to the river. The sluice will not only benefit the farmers, but will also drain the housing areas that are affected by the backlands water.

The Noitgedacht sluice, Wakenaam, was constructed at a cost of $16.37M. This outlet will facilitate drainage of over 1,000 acres of farmland on the island.

What is significant about these sluices is that they have been built on two islands that are major agricultural producers, particularly with respect to rice.

However, the Agriculture Minister made the noteworthy observation that while government spends much money to facilitate these projects, it is concerned with getting value for its money and ensuring the projects implemented give the desired results, pointing out that: “We do not really measure in terms of monetary value, but also in terms of the impact these projects will make on the livelihood of our people.”