Agri Ministry places heighten focus on irrigation

Jun 14, 2009 News

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), is placing special attention on irrigation. Based on the weather patterns observed and the data collected by the hydromet department, the amount of rainfall measured so far is below what was expected during the normal May/June rainy season.

At a press conference on Friday, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, said that it is good for drainage, as around this time farmers require irrigation for their cultivation.

The NDIA board, he said, held an emergency meeting last Tuesday and it was agreed that the issue of irrigation would be given more attention in terms of what the Ministry can do. The staff would be more responsive to the needs of the farmers.

“When there is the required amount of rainfall, irrigation is not a major problem, but once you see a decrease in rainfall, it becomes a challenge, so there is a plan in place to improve irrigation. In fact that plan has started to be acted on.”

All pumps are being operated on a continuous basis to satisfy the needs of the farmers in all the administrative regions.

The NDIA is also looking at strategic and necessary irrigation canals that have to be cleared, so that farmers have adequate amount of irrigation for rice and other crops.

“So there is a total programme and already they have started identification of those areas that require early and urgent help in terms of irrigation, and the NDIA is working with the regions and even the NDCs. They have all come together and started to draft a plan in this regard.”

Minister Persaud appealed to farmers to be considerate and not to waste water, and to assist the authorities in the proper management of any water because it is very crucial to their needs.

The technical officers at the local level will continue to be out in the fields to provide support and response to those farmers who need it.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry is also paying close attention to the hinterland areas where there is a smaller amount of rainfall.

Persaud said that teams are already out in the field assessing the food supply issue in the remote areas, and to ascertain whether there is need for support.

“At this time there is no need to panic, but just to let farmers know that work has already started and technically, there is a lot of work taking place in this regard. At the same time, I want to say that based on the forecast, there will be periods of heavy rainfall.”

The Ministry is also working in collaboration with the National Communications Network (NCN) to provide daily weather forecast and Persaud urged farmers to be on the alert, and be prepared to deal with any eventualities. (Fareeza Haniff).

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Agri Ministry places heighten focus on irrigation

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