Veterinary supplies, clearing of Creek mouth being pursued to help Abary farmers

Georgetown, GINA, February 17, 2008.

The provision of veterinary medications for cattle and livestock and clearing the mouth of the Abary Creek are among the main activities to be pursued by Government, as part of immediate efforts to relieve affected farmers in the area.
These and other interventions were discussed today by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team of officials from the Ministry and Regional Administration, when they met farmers at the Onverwagt road-end, Abary Creek in Region Five.
Abary is mainly a cattle rearing area and discussions were centered on protecting the animals especially the 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. 
Minister Persaud and farmers discuss interventions at Abary Creek   

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. The medication and supplements will be distributed through various farmers’ groups in the respective areas.
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 this matter is recognised and action is being taken to have it addressed.
            Farmers were consulted on other actions to help relieve their area from water accumulation caused by excessive rainfall and it was suggested that the mouth of the river be cleared to enhance its discharging capacity.
One farmer committed his two short-boom excavators to carry out the works and it was agreed that Government will provide the fuel and pontoon to transport the machines and cover necessary operational cost to have the job done.

Minister Persaud interacts with farmers at Abary Creek.

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.
Previous interventions to help alleviate the risk of flooding in the Abary Creek include construction of a flood embankment on the left bank of the Creek, a project that was recommended by farmers but after it  started and was moving apace, several farmers protested the activity and the project came to a halt.
The Minister’s meeting at Abary follows previous visits to Region Five to other areas including West Coast Berbice and Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, where farmers and residents were consulted on additional measures to help them deal with the current rainy situation.

 

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