The government is moving to establish a national task force to coordinate the response to the current El Niño weather phenomenon.
Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder yesterday told a news conference that farmers are the ones that will be most affected and the ministry is working to address the challenges.
The Agriculture Minis-try has said that the latest data from regional organisations show that there is a great probability of below normal precipitation for the remainder of the year and water availability is likely to be reduced.
As a result, it has advised appropriate water management practices be employed in the various sectors and households to mitigate against the forecast deficit in rainfall quantities and increase in atmospheric temperatures in the coming months.
At the news conference yesterday, Dr. Garvin Cummings, acting Chief Hydromet Officer, stated that in September, all of the regions except Region 4, had recorded below normal rainfall. The hydromet department has also recorded a rise in temperature and a further increase is expected.
There are currently measures underway to conserve water and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s acting CEO Frederick Flatts assured that the Abary water conservancy is at a sufficient level going into the next rice crop. However, he stated if there is no rain, “we may be in some problems to sustain the crops in 2016.”
The rice harvest is 60% completed for this season. Henry said in the event of no rain, he foresees a problem particularly in the Crabwood Creek area. In that event, he said one possible remedy would be to draw water from the Corentyne River.
He also said there is some anticipation for some challenges for the Boera-sirie Conservancy on the West Bank of Demerara.
There are campaigns to educate farmers, rangers and others involved in the system to limit and minimise the risk of a water shortage. Farmers are being advised to use water for irrigation purposes wisely, pay attention to irrigation water quality, till around plants and trees, practice shade cultivation and mulching, look for increase in pest population and avoid burning.
The press conference also saw representation by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and several other ministries.
