The Agriculture Ministry has begun to distribute support vouchers to assist farmers in order for them to return to cultivation and avoid disruption of their activities, following recent torrential rainfall associated with La Niña weather phenomenon as well as spring tides.
So far, 95 farmers have received vouchers and distribution of same is ongoing in regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
In the statement, the ministry noted that rainfall for the first quarter of March this year has surpassed the long-term average in all locations across Guyana, and similar records made in previous La Niña years, following an analysis conducted by the Hydromet Service.
This resulted in flooding in vulnerable low-lying riverain communities, particularly the Mahaica/Mahaicony areas, which, according to the agency, was compounded due to the release of water at the Lama and Maduni sluices to relieve the East Demerara Water Conservancy.
As regards the rice sector, the ministry stated that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) has been providing farmers who were pumping water from their lands with fuel.
It was noted that in excess of fifteen thousand gallons of fuel have been distributed by the MMA/ADA to farmers to pump water out of their cultivation and to undertake emergency works. In addition to the fuel intervention, the release stated that the MMA/ADA has already installed fifty HDPE tubes to assist in the area of drainage.
It was noted too that rental of machines to assist farmers with empoldering of their land was also one of the interventions undertaken by the MMA/ADA.
The GRDB has also identified critical dams that are in need of grading and this would enable farmers to transport their paddy from the fields to the mill.
The ministry stated that the GRDB has contracted the Rice Producers Association (RPA) to execute rehabilitation of priority dams and it was noted that the RPA in conjunction with regional officials have commenced work in Region 3 and work is expected to commence in regions 5 and 2 this week.
The GRDB has also concluded an assessment and verification of acreage of rice crop lost with the aim of supporting farmers with seed paddy and fertilizer during the next crop.
In the livestock sector, the ministry through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been continuously providing veterinary treatment to thousands of animals affected by the recent flooding along the coast and Region 10.
As the water level recedes in some of the areas, feed supplements such as bran, grass, straw and molasses are presently being distributed to farmers in regions 3, 4 and in the Region 5 area, which was most affected. Over twelve thousand gallons of molasses have been distributed so far. The next stage of the intervention is assisting farmers by replacing animals lost as a result of the flooding. The Ministry has completed procurement of over eight thousand chicks and five thousand ducklings to be distributed to farmers.
The verification of the list is expected to be completed today and distribution will begin promptly tomorrow.
Meantime, the ministry stated that Extension Agents from the National Agricultural and Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) have been offering advice to farmers on how to save crops which have survived the flooding, especially mature crops.
It noted that farmers were also given quantities of fungicide to protect crops from fungus which have become prevalent during flood conditions.
As the water recedes from the fields, farmers are being provided with plant materials and chemicals so that they can begin the replanting process.
The ministry noted that several hundred farmers across the Essequibo Coast, West Coast Demerara and Region 5 have begun to receive seeds and fungicide while distribution in Region 4 will commence today.
The ministry noted that the government agency and its supplementary offices remain committed to working with farmers that were affected to return to their activities and to provide necessary support to improve current infrastructure and secure crops and livestock.
