Latest update November 14th, 2024 8:42 PM
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Rains stall sugar production, good for rice field preparation
– Desilting exercises ongoing at outfalls
While the current rainy weather is generally favourable for agriculture production it has adversely affected the sugar industry and the grinding of cane has slowed.
According to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, since the last two weeks in November, very little grinding is being done at estates because of the weather. He added that over the past six days no cane has been burnt. He is unable to say how much the recent heavy rain has affected the industry at this juncture.
Meanwhile, the intermittent showers that are expected to become continuous until February 2013 are favourable for the rice industry and cash crops.
Dr. Ramsammy related that farmers are currently preparing rice fields for cultivation and the rains would avert the usual challenge of not having sufficient water to irrigate lands.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
In relation to the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary farming area that is usually prone to flooding, he said that farmers will have to play their part in pumping water from farmlands into canals.
NDIA has dispatched machinery along the coastland to desilt the various outfalls.
Dr. Ramsammy assured that NDIA is utilizing the intermittent showers to carry out desilting works. He explained that desilting during the dry season is difficult since water is necessary to flush the silt. In addition, silt accumulates more during the dry season.
According to the Minister, once we get 2.5 inches of rainfall over a 24 hour period in certain areas flash flooding may occur. Some areas that may be exposed to flooding are: East Coast Demerara communities; rice producing areas in Regions Three and Five; and in some areas in Region Six.
He noted that though primary focus is being placed on the Coastlands the Ministry is still monitoring weather conditions in the interior, and said that more emphasis will be placed on this area in January.
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