Corentyne rice farmers frustrated over cattle in their crop

Mar 10, 2018 News

Small-scale rice farmers cultivating the Number 52-65 area have suggested that two fences estimated to cost millions of dollars be erected along the Seaforth Dam and the Number 52-65 Facade Drainage Canal dam. The request is as a result of their rice crop being damaged and eaten by cattle within the said location.
According to some of the rice farmers, hundreds of cattle farmers are directly affected since an estimated one hundred heads of cows have invaded their cultivation lands and are eating away at their crops, causing major losses.
Amjad Ally, a 70-year-old farmer for over 30 years at Number Nought Village, Corentyne, Berbice, said the issue has been affecting him for five years but escalated over the months since the number of cattle has increased, causing more damage than expected.
“The cow dem going and eat the rice and when you surround the land the cow dem going and break the wire and go inside back,” this Ally said only occurs in the night and not in the day.
Amarnauth Pitamber, who has 30 acres of rice land explained that the cattle farmers seldom take care of the cattle, leaving them to roam and graze freely.
“Dem na pen dem, dem na look after dem, dem just got dem and loose dem just like that. Dem cow did eating the rice in its bearing stage”, Pitamber stressed.
Another farmer added that when the rice is eaten at its early stage of growth more fertiliser has to be added, this adversely causes a huge loss in profits.
The rice farmers stated that they met with the cattle farmers to discuss the situation and with the hope that a resolution would be arrived at, however, they said they got no positive answers and the situation remains the same.
Meanwhile, Ramgolam Singh, a former Rice Producers’ Association representative/rice farmer, in an invited comment stated that the only solution to the problem is for the government to intervene and erect two fences approximately 2,500 rods each. One fence he explained will be placed in the Savannah (Number 52-66) cattle pasture and one on the government reserve between (homestead farm and the rice lands).
Singh added, “If erected it will stop stray animals from going in the rice fields in the night. At present, farmers erected their own fence between the reserve and homestead rice area but it’s very weak. We need government to help affected farmers immediately”. He is also suggesting that a gate be placed at every access dam.
Over 360 farmers are affected with the rice lands stretching over 9000 acres.
The farmers subsequently met with the Prime Minister’s representative in Region Six, Gobin Harbhajan, who promised them that the matter will be raised with the Regional Administration, the agriculture committee and the relevant ministry’s. He also supported the idea to have the two fences erected.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News