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Agri. Minister inspects emergency works to alleviate E’bo rice farmers’ woes
Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, on Wednesday visited several affected villages within the Capoey, Windsor Castle, Devonshire Castle and Queenstown areas to ascertain flood damage and to ensure works presently being undertaken by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) are moving apace.
Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (3rd right) meeting affected Essequibo rice farmers.
During the visit, the Minister who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis; Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth; General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board, Jagnarine Singh, and Chief Executive Officer, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, met with several affected farmers and got a firsthand look of situation.
Over 1000 acres of rice lands have been affected by the flood waters which accumulated in the backlands over the past several days. Excessive rainfall overnight has aggravated the situation.
Among the issues raised by farmers included failure to desilt the clogged outfall canal, blocked internal drainage and illegally installation of tube pipes by some farmers which has aided in the farmlands being under water.
“The agriculture sector as a whole has played an integral role in the Guyana’s development and it is of paramount importance to the administration that we maintain food and nutrition security for all…We are working around the clock to ensure that the water recedes and in a timely manner, Minister Holder said.
He added that while immediate intervention is been undertaken by the Government through the NDIA, the Cabinet will be looking at a holistic approach – through a long-term plan in having the situation addressed.
Two pontoons with excavators were deployed to the Windsor Castle and Capoey areas to desilt the clogged outfall canal which residents stated was neglected by the previous administration.
During the visit, engineers along with mobile pumps were deployed to the area and are working around the clock to have the situation return to normalcy.
“We will ensure that all possible alternatives are put in place to ensure that we bring relief to farmers….thus far, fixed mobile pumps have been deployed and are working on a 24- hour basis. However, I implore that you be the watch guard and hold the workers accountable, as you are the ones who stand to benefit,” the Minister said.
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