Rice farmers peeved over unfinished irrigation works

Sep 03, 2008 News

Farmers from the Good-Hope # 51 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) on the Corentyne coast are complaining that irrigation works in the area have been abandoned before completion.

It is reported that a machine that was sent by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) #6, to dig and repair a main canal in the area, was ordered to move to another site, without prior notice. And this has caused many rice farmers to change plans, as they were ready to start ploughing in time for the upcoming rice crop.

Rice farmers in the villages located in the NDC are not satisfied with the Region’s decision, which they say was done without considering their situation in an appropriate manner.

“If this canal is completed in time hundreds of acres more will be cultivated this crop,” one farmer commented.

It is claimed that the lands in question have not been cultivated for a number of years, due to the poor infrastructure that existed, mainly the drainage and irrigation system.

After representation was made to the RDC and to Ministry of Agriculture officials, it was agreed to carry out the said works on the system.

The RDC was awarded the sum of G$261.225M by central government for capital works in the region, for this year. From this amount, a sum of G$82M was budgeted by the RDC to improve the drainage and irrigation system within the region.

Because of its size and geographical location coupled with its economic significance to the country, Region Six was the recipient of the largest sum of monies granted by government, among the ten administrative regions, in this year’s budgetary allowances.

When contacted, Zulfikar Mustapha, Chairman of the RDC in Region Six, said that the Hymac was removed from the location and taken to Crabwood Creek where there was an emergency.

“A serious breach occurred at Crown Dam, Crabwood Creek and the Hymac had to be transferred to repair the damage done there,” he explained. Mustapha said that the breach occurred as a result of the extension work done in sugar cane cultivation at the Skeldon Estate.

The Chairman said that in two weeks’ time the machine will return to its previous location to complete the project in the Good-Hope area in time for the crop.