Farmers, residents must play greater role in D&I projects’ monitoring
- Agriculture Minister
Georgetown GINA, January 18, 2007.
Farmers and residents are being encouraged to assist in monitoring drainage and irrigation and other works done in their communities to help ensure projects are implemented according to the required specifications.
This was highlighted during a farmers’ meeting on January 17 at Cane Grove, Mahaica, with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team of senior officials from the Ministry and the Regional Administration of Region Four. The meeting was held at the Cane Grove Primary School.
The discussions centered on drainage and irrigation during which farmers spoke about the quality of some works done through the award of contracts in their community. Minister Persaud said the Ministry is cognisant of such complaints and efforts are being made to address them through the procurement of equipment by Government that would preclude the need for contracting the projects.
During the past two years, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) acquired 25 new excavators that have since been deployed to various areas across the country including the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and Pomeroon, where the equipment are being used to further strengthen the D&I system. 
A section of the gathering at the meeting.
Minister Persaud pointed out that the Ministry is willing to have farmers involved in the maintenance of the D&I system after completion of the infrastructural works.
They were advised that there is an arrangement which requires contract documents to be publicly displayed in the community where the works are being done.
The attitude of pump attendants at Cane Grove was also raised and farmers were told that the matter will be dealt with by the Regional Administration, which has taken action in other similar situations.
Minister Persaud recommended the establishment of a monitoring committee where elected farmers represent the views of the community as it relates to the operation of the pump station.
The committee members are required to conduct regular checks to ensure efficient operations of the pump. During the meeting, several farmers were elected to represent the Cane Grove pump monitoring committee.
Minister Persaud addressing farmers at the Cane Grove meeting.
Additionally, another main issue that took centre stage was the development of the Georgie Pasture located in the savannah aback of the community by a private farmer for agricultural activities, which farmers said is having a negative impact on D&I in their area.
Minister Persaud said a complete investigation is required into the matter before any decision is made and a committee was set up to conduct the review and present a report. The committee, headed by NDIA’s Chairman Walter Willis includes the investor, farmers from the community and representatives from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.
Farmers also spoke about the state of access dams and they were advised that the Regional 
A Cane Grove farmer making a point during the meeting.
Administration will embark on a programme shortly to improve these faculties in the community.
Over the past year, approximately $18.6M was spent by the NDIA to carry out additional D&I improvement in the Cane Grove area. These works were done through contracts awarded to the community’s Water Users Association (WUA). More expenditure on D&I in the area included $5M by the NDC and additional sums from the Regional Administration.
Among those present at the meeting from the Agriculture Ministry were Willis, General Secretary of the Rice Producers’ Association Dharamkumar Seeraj, General Manager of the Guyana Rice and Development Board Jagnarine Singh and NDIA’s Chief Executive Officer (ag) Lionel Wordsworth.
From the region there was Regional Vice-Chairman Mohamed Khan and Regional Executive Officer Shafdar Ali.
Minister Persaud and his team have been visiting various communities across the country to discuss agricultural development with farmers and residents.
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