Drainage and irrigation works estimated at $117M recently undertaken at Western Hog Island, are expected to boost agricultural production and facilitate the cultivation of non-traditional produce.
The works, conducted under the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project, included the excavation and rehabilitation of more than 11 miles of new canals and construction of five concrete water-control structures. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release close to 600 persons on the Region Three island are expected to benefit, particularly farmers as it will provide them with enhanced water-control for about 3,000 acres of arable lands that can now be better utilized for cultivation. Another spin-off of the works is that the island will be better positioned to supply a sustainable quantity and high quality produce for processing at the Parika packaging and storage facility under construction.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, accompanied by several ministry and regional and other officials, on Saturday met with farmers on the island after commissioning the drainage project. The project’s importance in increasing production and productivity was highlighted and farmers were urged to maximise the opportunities that can be netted. The minister also said government continues to invest in more training for farmers, skilled personnel, improved D&I, effective pesticides and pest control, marketing services and research and technological development in keeping with its plan to meet the demand for regional produce.
Persaud also urged farmers to diversify their production and to cultivate non-traditional crops. Exports of non-traditional crops recorded a 25% increase last year when compared with the 2006 figures. He said farmers who take this route are guaranteed more support from government under projects such as the US$20M Agricultural Diversification Initiative which is set to come on stream this year.
According to GINA, reference was also made to some of the direct investments in agricultural development on the island where soil tests were conducted to better inform farmers of the type of crop to cultivate on certain plots. A demonstration plot was also established, with assistance from the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and has been used to introduce cultivation of organic pineapples and other crops on demand in international markets. NARI has also worked with farmers to address some of the challenges they faced while introducing techniques such as inter-cropping.
Hog Island is well known for its production of ground provisions, citrus, vegetables and fruits and cattle-rearing. The island previously benefited under the rearing of the small ruminants project where sheep were given to farmers to kick-start it in their communities.
Meanwhile, farmers voiced concerns about a few private land issues which are engaging the attention of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.
Several officials from this agency attended the session and were able to update them on the various issues.
The farmers also said they can’t pay for the occupational and cadastral surveys which the Commission will be conducting on the island. They requested the ministry’s assistance in offsetting the costs, which the minister said he would consider.
GINA said General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation Nizam Hassan, NARI Director Dr Oudho Homenauth and acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Lionel Wordsworth also attended the meeting. The meeting was hosted at the Western Hog Island Primary School.
