Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha was yesterday told about serious flooding in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne and he told farmers that the new government is working to ensure that there is more money in their pockets.
Mustapha stated that in order to accomplish this goal the government is looking at reversing the increases in drainage and irrigation fees, land rentals and removal of VAT from agricultural inputs such as machinery, pesticides and fertilizers.
“We will be having a budget on Wednesday and all those measures hopefully can come out from the budget, some of the promises we have made in our manifesto we will have some of those measures coming out from that budget”, he said.
According to the minister, some of the measures implemented by the previous government were harsh on the livelihoods of farmers and residents in the Black Bush Polder agricultural scheme.
One of the main issues raised by farmers and residents yesterday was flooding due to recent heavy rainfall. Farmers stated that certain areas were flooded while some rice lands are inaccessible. Mustapha then asked the CEO of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), who was present, to deal with the issue immediately.
The CEO later at Mibicuri told those gathered that the recent rainfall resulted in a lot of water in the drainage channels, “We are operating the various pumps right there at Eversham, the pump is operating and the sluices are operating. We just have to ensure that the sluices are opened night time also and hopefully within two days or so without any major rainfall then there will be a drop in the water”.
However, farmers pointed out that in two days the condition of their rice will not be the same. Mustapha stated that the pumps will have to work 24 hours in an effort to bring faster relief to those affected.
He then asked that farmers nominate two persons to monitor the sluices and the pumps around the clock for a small stipend from the region. “That is the only way we can work it to get it to drop”, the minister stressed.
Access bridges
Residents at several areas in Black Bush Polder said that they are in need of access bridges. The minister then directed the overseer of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council to put together a list of priority bridges and submit it to the region at the earliest.
However, he noted that only priority works can be done as of now.
Farmers also informed the minister that they were made aware that a large portion of land at the Kokerite Savannah was distributed to select persons.
Mustapha sought clarification from representatives from the Guyana Lands and Survey Com-mission who were present and then informed those gathered that an occupation survey is presently ongoing after which persons would have an opportunity to apply for land in the area.
Residents also raised concerns about dams and Mustapha noted that a list of those should also be submitted.
The minister said that he was visiting so as to gather first-hand information about issues that are affecting them. “As we are working now we are working without a budget and we have to take into consideration what are some of the issues so that when we have this budget in place we can deal with some of the bigger issues”.
However, he stated, that presently they can make “minor interventions” in order to resolve some issues faced by citizens and farmers.
He also took the opportunity to remind the farmers of the importance of the agriculture sector, “We can have all the natural resources, we can have all the oil, all the gold, all the timber but remember agriculture is the most important sector in our country. Agriculture has been the backbone of Guyana’s economy for centuries and that will remain, so we have to take it to new heights”.
The minister told those gathered that he hopes to be able to visit the polders once a month with all the ministry’s extension officers as was done yesterday, “So that you can raise your issues and we can deliver because when we are in Georgetown and we are in our office you have to travel down to come to Georgetown. We can’t make the people go to the government, the government must come to the people and I plan to have a hands-on approach like that where our officers will be coming to meet with you. They will be accountable to you and we will work together and form a partnership to move this country together, that’s the way we have to do things”.
Meanwhile, residents also noted that there are a lot of vulnerable persons within the area who are in dire need of help.
Mustapha on Saturday visited Crabwood Creek, the Number 66 Fisheries, Skeldon Estate, Whim, Letter Kenny, Bloomfield on the Corentyne and Reliance and Canefield in East Canje Berbice, while yesterday he visited Yakusari, Johanna, Mibicuri and Lesbeholden in Black Bush and Bushlot Village on the Corentyne.
