Minister Persaud checks on Region Two D&I
-  assistance for Golden Fleece/Cullen farmers
 
Georgetown, GINA, December 24, 2007.

Focus continues to be placed on ensuring that the drainage and irrigation (D&I) system is effective and equipped to deal with the current rainy season and that necessary support is given to farmers to ensure they have limited interruption of their livelihoods.
This was further revealed today with a visit to Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, as part of his countrywide activity to meet and discuss D&I with farmers in light of the current rainy season. He was accompanied by Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth.
The main area of focus was Golden Fleece/Cullen which was affected by water accumulation as a result of the heavy rainfall and ongoing construction of the double-door sluice in the area.
A cofferdam in front of the existing single door sluice was necessary to facilitate the structure’s construction and when the rains came, there was build-up of excess water in the D&I system. Several acres of rice and cash crops were affected.
Following an inspection of the sluice under construction, a farmers’ meeting was held at Golden Fleece, where Minister Persaud assured that the necessary assistance will be considered for those severely affected. This may take the form of waivered rent charges for farmers and the provision of fertilisers and seed paddy to enable them to return to their activities as quickly as possible. Similar arrangements will be considered for severely affected cash crop and poultry farmers.
Earlier interventions through the Regional Administration and the NDIA saw deployment of four pumps and two excavators to provide necessary assistance to relieve affected farmers. Several technical teams were also dispatched at various periods to deal with the matter.
At present the accumulated water has withdrawn and a team has been appointed to assess the losses and present a report to Minister Persaud within the next two weeks. Members of the team are from the Rice Producers Association, the Regional Administration and NDIA.
Minister Persaud pointed out that the initiative is not compensation for flooding but a form of support to help those affected in the peculiar situation where the ongoing construction contributed to water build-up.
Farmers pointed out that the situation is understandable since it resulted from heavy downpours which the Region has been experiencing. They expressed satisfaction with construction of the double-door sluice, which will ensure better D&I in the community when completed.
This initiative is being done under the Rice Competitiveness Project at a cost of approximately $120M and is part of ongoing investments valued at more than $800M to boost agricultural production in Region Two.
Construction of another double-door sluice at Westbury, replacement of four pumps at the Dawa pump station and installation of the replaced pumps at the Cozier scheme and Anna Regina are also important projects underway in the Region.
While in the Region, Minister Persaud visited outfall channels at Unu Creek, Andrews and La Union, where approximately $25M will be spent in 2008 to repair a section of the damaged revetment.
He also visited Charity, where he interacted with farmers/residents and discussed more D&I issues facing the upper and lower Pomeroon.
General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) Nizam Hassan, Regional Chairman Ali Baksh, Vice-Chairman Vishnu Samaroo and Regional Executive Officer Iqbaul Khan were among those who accompanied the Minister.

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