More improvement in MMA scheme planned for 2008

Georgetown, GINA, November 14, 2007.

Focus continues to be placed on improving services offered to farmers by the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) to support and encourage advanced production within the scheme.
In this regard, several major projects are planned for implementation during next year, some of which are part of Phase II of the MMA scheme, General Manager of the MMA/ADA Aubrey Charles said
One of the main activities to be carried out is construction of the Abary/Berbice main canal between the Mahaicony and Abary Creeks. The seven-mile canal, which will be built from First Savannah to Jugdeo Canal, when completed will provide better drainage and irrigation for18, 000 acres of land used mainly for rice cultivation and cattle rearing.
The Mahaicony façade drain will be extended from Cape Clear in a northerly direction that will take discharge close to the mouth of the Mahaicony Creek while a structure will be constructed at Gordon Table.
This will supplement drainage requirements in the area where other works are being done including empoldering of approximately 18, 000 acres of land between the Mahaicony and Abary Creeks.
The project, which started in October 2006, includes construction of an embankment from Mora Point to First Savannah, works that have already been completed. Works are underway to build the dam from the Mahaicony Creek to the Abary Creek.
Additionally, maintenance was carried out to the primary D&I systems between the Berbice and Abary/Mahaicony areas and are enabling farmers to access reliable services. Forty seven drainage canals totalling approximately 90 miles were also rehabilitated as part of the 2007 work programme while sections of the conservancy dam were maintained.
Maintenance of the main canal head regulator which controls flow of water from the conservancy into the main canal was also done while two sluice doors were replaced at the junction of the conservancy dam and the Abary Creek and two of the four pumps at Trafalgar repaired.
With regard to the lands and surveys aspect, a large number of applications were processed while there are plans to issue more than 400 persons with titles in 2008. This will be done in areas such as De Hoop, Mahaica, Kingelly, West Coast Berbice, Bath small farmers’ area, Cotton Tree, De Edward and Carriageway, Rosignol.
During this year, an occupation survey was conducted at Kingelly Village, where persons have been occupying State lands north of the public road for several years. Discussions were held with officials of the Ministry of Housing and a proposed layout of the residential area was completed.
These activities are aimed at improving agricultural development within the MMA/ADA area and providing more efficient drainage to surrounding communities. Significant interventions have been made over the years toward realizing this objective including the procurement of more than $750M in equipment and machinery to carry out various D&I work within the scheme.
Some of the projects that form part of the MMA Phase II are being undertaken with the machinery and equipment.
Cultivation of rice and cash crops and rearing of cattle are the main activities conducted in the MMA area.   

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