Further interventions to help farmers of Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Creeks
-in light of change in weather pattern  

Government is pursuing additional interventions to help cattle, cash crop and rice farmers in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary (MMA) areas, Region Five, deal with the effects of current excessive rainfall being experienced, primarily in the backlands of the MMA.

Farmers and residents of Mahaica and Mahaicony met with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, on February 15 while a similar meeting was held at Onverwagt road-end, Abary Creek on February 17.

The Minister, along with personnel from the Regional Administration and the crops, livestock and drainage and irrigation agencies of the Agriculture Ministry were at the time conducting further assessments to determine additional interventions that could be made.

 

The interventions include:-

·        Deployment of mobile drainage pumps and excavators to desilt channels and drainage canals

·        Relocation of affected cattle and other livestock to higher grounds

·        Provision of veterinary medications for cattle and livestock

·        The daily presence of Veterinary Officers in affected areas

·        Assistance to rice farmers to save crops threatened by high water

·        Possible assistance to farmers that were severely affected to re-cultivate their lands

 

Mahaicony

 

At Mahaicony, it was agreed that efforts will be made to identify high lands where cattle, particularly calves, could be relocated, while supplements to maintain them at the location will be provided by the Ministry.
              With regard to rice, efforts are continuing through the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) to save several acres in the Mahaicony Agricultural Development Scheme (MARDS).
             Two pumps have been deployed and are working to discharge excess water from the area while several private farmers who are pumping water from their fields in other locations have been given assistance with fuel supplies.
             It was noted that veterinarians and other officials from the Ministry will return to the area to monitor the situation and the implementation of the various initiatives.
            Among the long-term interventions to alleviate the risk of flooding in the area, are; current empoldering of 18, 000 acres of land south of Jugdeo Canal to First Savannah along the right bank of the Mahaicony River. These works, which will be completed during this year, also include installation of flood control structures that will open-up more lands for agricultural activities.

 

Mahaica

During the meeting at Mahaica Creek, farmers were told that the Ministry will provide assistance to those severely affected in the form of planting materials and possibly manure to help farmers re-cultivate their lands.
            It was noted that the upper reaches of the Creek is most affected including areas such as Joe Hook and Grass Hook, where residents have been given the option of relocating due to the geographical location which is classified as a catchment area.
            Another issue that was highlighted at Mahaica was the vandalism of drainage and irrigation structures, which is now affecting farmers. Minister Persaud noted that this is a serious problem and urged that farmers be more vigilant to protect the necessary

infrastructure that is in place to aid their agricultural activities.
            It was announced that rehabilitation of the Perth/Biaboo canal, which was requested by cash crop farmers for them to access their farms, will commence in the dry season while maintenance of the area’s drainage and irrigation channels will be finalised shortly.

 

Abary

 

The provision of veterinary medications for cattle and livestock and clearing the mouth of the Abary Creek were among the main issues addressed. 

Discussions were mainly centered on protecting the animals, especially calves, from the harsh weather conditions. Suggestion were made for the animals to be relocated to the dam surrounding the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Scheme, but rice farmers who have crops under cultivation in the scheme opposed the idea. They claimed that the animals will venture into their farms and damage their crops. 
            Requests were made for the Agriculture Ministry to provide veterinary supplies and supplements to maintain the cattle at their current locations. Farmers were advised that approximately $2M has been made available for such a programme for cattle and livestock in the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Creeks.
            Under this intervention, veterinary medications and nutrients for the animals will be provided while two veterinarians will be stationed full-time in the area to assist farmers. Another issue raised at the meeting was the need for land titles to be granted so farmers can access finance from the banking institutions and further secure their farms from flooding during heavy rainfall. Minister Persaud advised that action is being taken to have this issue addressed.
            Minister Persaud, while at Abary visited the mouth of the creek and inspected the area to be cleared. He also checked out drainage and irrigation structures at Little Abary and Profit/Foulis along the Abary Creek.

more bulletins