Region Two rice farmers were recently urged to be proactive regarding management of water in light of El Nino while the Ministry of Agriculture has been implementing measures to ensure proper management and equitable distribution of water across the rice belts.
The ministry has improved the drainage and irrigation systems in Region Two with the installation of four pumps at Dawa, rehabilitated sluices, canals and other structures, Minister Robert Persaud has said.
Persaud, who is performing the duties of Prime Minister, Regional Vice- Chairman, Region 2, Vishnu Samaroo and other officials recently conducted a meeting at Anna Regina Town Hall to address water management with respect to irrigation and other issues affecting rice farmers, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
The Dawa pumps are irrigating lands at present but because of the absence of constant long periods of rainfall, water has dropped in the conservancy and the need for water control has been intensified.
However, Persaud noted that government will not dictate whether farmers should cultivate their lands or not, but he explained that planting now will result in low supply of water while planting late may result in harvesting plants during the rainy season.
He advised that farmers should consult with the Guyana Rice Development Board and the Rice Producers Association on a possible course of action since the dry spell may last until March.
For the sustainability of irrigation of rice lands the minister has asked farmers to be more proactive and responsible as it relates to the management of water.
Minister Persaud has been visiting several farming communities in recent months, meeting with farmers to address the situation caused by the extreme dry conditions, GINA noted.
Interventions have been made to provide assistance in the form of pipes, machinery and rehabilitation of structures to various affected areas.
The minister has also been urging farmers to conserve on water usage and not to tamper with drainage and irrigation structures, GINA added.
