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Koker door left open, rice beds affected at WCD
The koker door that was left open
Many rice farmers at Windsor Forest and Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara, are hoping that the weather pattern for the next two weeks is favourable, so that the damage which was done to their rice beds yesterday would not adversely affect them.
A number of rice fields were flooded yesterday after a koker door was left open on Monday night by an operator who according to reports was drunk.
When this newspaper arrived at the affected area yesterday morning a number of farmers were carrying out remedial works, to try and channel water out of the fields.
Ramchand Budhoo, a farmer, said that he has already lost over a half acre of calaloo.
“By the time I rush in the fields the water already damage the calaloo fields.” According to the farmer, he lost over $200,000 as a result.
He said that he’s hoping that the sun comes out in its glory, so that the rice beds could dry out.
Budhoo said that the rice crop is expected to be harvested in the next two weeks, but if the beds are wet that cannot happen.
“Rice gun harvest next two weeks….but if de beds wet they can’t harvest and is plenty people gun cry because is plenty money gun waste,” Budhoo said.
Another farmer who spoke to this publication said that he was forced to put mud flaps in his fields to stop the water from rushing in.
According to the man, he got the message about the flood early yesterday morning. He said that he really hopes the weather is good which would save the crop.
“If the rain comes…the entire crop gone,” said the farmer.
Mohandra Hardeo, a manager at the Ruimzeight Rice Company told this publication that he received a telephone call early yesterday morning about the flooding. Hardeo said that he was told by a few farmers that the koker door was left open by a “drunk” attendant. He said that he had not gone to check on his personal crop since he was still tending to other farmers’ plight.
Further, he said that a number of farmers have been affected, and if the crop is spoilt it would definitely affect the company, since they purchase from the farmers.
Incessant rainfall has been compounded by several breaches at various kokers across the country, leaving a number farmers to count their losses.
Efforts yesterday to conduct the Regional Democratic Officer proved futile.
Up to press time a number of farmers said that water had receded a little, but a few rice beds were still under water.
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