The Ministry of Agriculture is expected to pronounce soon on a proposal by farmers within the Number 52 to Number 74 Corentyne area for the fencing of land for cattle grazing.
The proposal was made to a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture after rice and cattle farmers clashed over an order from the 52-74 Water Users Association giving permission for animals to be impounded when found in rice cultivations.
Ahmad Rajab, Chairman of the Association and who also attended the meeting, yesterday told Stabroek News that while the body had been issuing the letter on impounding animals found in rice cultivation over the last 14 years, an attorney attached to the Ministry of Agriculture contacted him two days prior and explained “that the Act doesn’t allow us to pound on NDIA structure”.
Rajab also noted that he reported the information to the rice farmers, who were incensed due to the continued losses they suffer as a result of cattle. After reaching out to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, a decision was made for a delegation to visit to resolve the problem.
Present yesterday at Number 63 Village, Corentyne, for the meeting were the Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation (NDIA) Board Lionel
Wordsworth; Dr. Grayson Halley, CEO of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Regional Chairman David Armogan; Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain; Regional Agriculture Coordinator Denis DeRoop; Ministry of Agriculture legal advisor Umadat Chandan; and others.
The meeting saw both cattle and rice farmers arguing for about 45 minutes and hardly allowing the officials to even speak.
Frustrated rice farmers argued that cattle farmers are allowing their animals to damage their rice and they said the situation requires a long-term solution. Cattle farmers, meanwhile, alleged that rice farmers have been poisoning their animals. Several female cattle farmers who were present alleged that poisoned fruits are set on the ground for their animals. The argument became heated and led to one rice farmer shouting, “Well take the rice industry and give it to the cattle farmers.”
Additionally, groups of persons who were present began throwing personal insults at each other also.
Wordsworth then insisted that one farmer speak at a time since the officials were there to come up with possible solutions. One farmer said that late former minister of agriculture Satyadeow Sawh had purchased 200 rolls of wire and 5,000 poles and fenced an area but after there was a flood in the area several years ago NDIA had damaged the fence to carry out drainage works.
The rice farmers all agreed that it is now time for the area to be fenced again. However, one young farmer who was present advised that NDIA clear the canal at the location and place the stuff removed on the ground then build the fence which will be a stronger and higher structure.
According to the young farmer, if that is done then even if NDIA has to return to the area to carry out drainage works the fence would not be affected.
Additionally, he said, that they should advertise to persons within the area before constructing the fence so that persons who are in the area can build their own gates, which would also protect them.
It was also recommended yesterday that the Guyana Rice Development Board carry out a survey to determine how many farmers are affected and how much losses they each have suffered. DeRoop noted that this would be done from today.
Wordsworth said that the recommendations would be taken back to Minister Mustapha and an update would be provided to the farmers. He also asked that the Water Users Association reach out to both cattle and rice farmers and have a few of them on board so that when they are moving ahead the farmers within the area can give their input.
After the meeting, Rajab said he believed that they have come to a solution, which is to build a fence that will help prevent “the cows from coming from the savannah into the rice cultivation”.
In summarising the meeting, Armogan said it was established that the Water Users Association does not have the authority to issue a letter to impound animals. The letter has since been withdrawn. “So we are trying to find a solution where we can have an area exclusive for cattle so that they don’t roam around the place and destroy other people rice and cash crop,” Armogan said.
He pointed out that an area was suggested “way down in the savannah, once we can fence a particular area and GLDA is looking at that. I’m sure GLDA will carry this suggestion to the honourable minister for him to see if he can garner the resources to implement the suggestion that have come out as a result of this meeting whereby they would need about 200 rolls of wire and about 5,000 posts to surround an area so that the cattle can be grazing in those areas.”
Regional Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain urged the farmers to always try to be respectful to each other. After the meeting he pointed out to them that the only way they can move ahead is if they are respectful to each other while sharing their opinions.
