Regional Authorities to expedite dam maintenance programme
-to support harvesting of current rice crop

Georgetown, GINA, March 18, 2008.

In effort to assist rice farmers with harvesting of the current crop, Minister of Agriculture Robert M. Persaud has formally requested Regional Authorities in rice producing areas to expedite all dam maintenance programmes.
            This intervention was made in response to frequent reports of poor access dams which are affecting harvesting activities during this current rice crop. These reports were verified during Minister Persaud’s recent visits to Regions Three and Six.
            A bulldozer and a tractor with roam plough have been deployed by the Regional Administration in Region Two and are being used to repair access dams in various rice growing areas. Workers of the community drainage and irrigation enhancement project and farmers are assisting to carry out the upgrading works.
            In Regions Three and Four, the Administrations are continuing their routine maintenance programme in collaboration with farmers while in Region Five, the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) and the Regional Administration are working with various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and farming groups to effect repairs to dams.
At present, graders and tractors with ploughs are being used in the programme while several farmers have been contracted to assist with maintenance.
            The Region Six Administration has already commenced grading of access dams in Black Bush Polder, one of the region’s main rice growing area, while the clearing of drains and shaping of dams are ongoing with the Number 52-74 area.
The Region is also exploring the possibility of sourcing an additional bulldozer to commence works in Crabwood Creek.
            The maintenance of dams was seriously affected by unseasonal heavy rainfall experienced over the past few weeks as a result of the La Nina weather condition. Framers are being urged to cooperate with all local government authorities to assist in their efforts to improve access dams.

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