Major D&I work ongoing in Water Users locations

Georgetown, GINA, May 11, 2007.

Major drainage and irrigation (D&I) improvements are currently being undertaken in several of the nine targeted areas where Water Users Associations (WUAs) are operational.

            WUAs were established in Regions Three, Four and Six under the US$22.5M Agricultural Support Services Programme (ASSP), which targets further agricultural development.

            At present, 1300 rods of canals are being maintained in the Vreed-en-Hoop/La Jalousie area at a cost of $4M while an additional $7M is being spent to improve a similar number in the Vergenoegen/Naamryck area.

            In Region Four, more than $13M is being spent to upgrade approximately 52, 000 rods of drainage canals in the Cane Grove/Victoria area under separate projects.

            Maintenance of 18, 000 rods of D&I system is being done within the Black Bush Polder area at a cost of $7M while 65, 400 rods of canals are being improved in the Number 52-74 area under a $9M project. More works are underway at Crabwood Creek where close to $5M is being invested.

              These activities form part of the civil works component of the ASSP which targets improvement of D&I in 120,000 acres in Vergenoegen/Bonasika, Den Amstel/Fellowship, Vreed-en-Hoop/La Jalousie and Canals Polder in Region 3; Golden Grove/Victoria and Cane Grove in Region 4, Black Bush Polder and Nos. 52- 74 Villages and Crabwood Creek in Region 6.

            WUAs have been set up in these areas to overlook the execution of the infrastructural works and maintenance of the D&I system. The WUAs are required to collect dues within their respective areas for carrying out the improvements.

The other components of ASSP include institutional support, rice seed development and diversification.