Residents and farmers within the Upper Corentyne area who were present for a consultation on Saturday with several ministers and regional officials signalled their support for the operation of the Nand Persaud and Company Limited airstrip which is located in Number 36 Village, Corentyne.
However, they also asked that the chemicals used and process for spraying be monitored and that the company follow all the necessary guidelines so as to ensure that residents are not affected.
Nand Persaud and Company Limited has been awaiting approval to complete the airstrip for over four years now. In 2019, Stabroek News reported that the company had halted works after spending over $25 million on the airstrip, since their application had remained at the Ministry of Public Infra-structure for over three years at that time without them receiving any feedback. At that stage, the necessary land filling, compaction and surfacing works had been completed.
Chief Executive Officer of Nand Persaud, Mohindra Persaud on Saturday explained, that the company’s intent is to have an airstrip in place due to the shortage of labourers and the expansion of agriculture land within the area. Persaud stressed that this is a step in revolutionizing the local agriculture sector since this venture will enable farmers to spray fertilizer in time, a massive improvement for farmers.
The farmers present collectively agreed that they “want” the airstrip when questioned by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill who spearheaded the consultation which also saw attendance by Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.
During the consultation it was evident that farmers are anxiously awaiting the completion of the airstrip, which is expected to enable aerial spraying and fertilizing which they believe will yield better quality paddy.
Lekha Rambrich, President of the Rice Producers Association, stressed, that it is indeed a good initiative which will be extremely beneficial to farmers. “It will bring great relief to farmers especially in conditions like what we are facing now”, he said.
In terms of security, Rambrich noted that the aviation or defence department would have to ensure that the necessary security measures are in place. However, he opined that there are technological systems which can be put in place to monitor the airstrip, “I hope that those technology can come early so that this airstrip can come operable for this crop.”
He further stressed that there are zoned areas for which spraying can be done pointing out that once the limits are followed then residents should not be affected. “I hope that they will operate within the confines of the law. It would bring great relief to the industry with expansion and opening up of new lands, the industry moving forward we need to move forward in mechanical spraying and sowing especially in situations where we have shortage of labourers.”
Ramgolam Singh, a rice farmer, also voiced his support for the airstrip but called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that zoning in the area is done. “The project is very important and I stand here … because right now we can’t get into our fields due to the heavy water so the airstrip will be very convenient to us.”
Another farmer explained, that he would also support the airstrip pointing out that he has over 45 acres in cultivation and is unable to access his field presently. “Every day some time me go rain and then workman na want go so if that airstrip can start working now it better for me.”
Careful
A resident from Tarlogie Village, Corentyne, noted that while he supports the idea it is important that “he (Persaud) be careful when he spray around this area because when backdam breeze blow the breeze a blow back and come a road, so he got to be careful what kind a drugs he using but the airstrip in not a problem.”
Meanwhile, Edghill relayed that he had consulted with the Acting Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, which is the licensing body, and confirmed that before a permit is given the company would have to receive clearance from the Guyana Defence Board, the EPA and the local authority in which the airstrip would be based.
“The Pesticides Board would have to approve whatever is being sprayed… So the storage of the chemical and the use of the chemical would have to be approved”, Edghill stressed.
Additionally, he told those gathered that it is not a case where once permission is granted for the airstrip the company can go ahead and spray whatever chemical they would want in any random areas, as there are systems which they would have to follow.
Furthermore, farmers are also hopeful that once the airstrip comes on stream paddy bug infestation can be handled in a timely and effective manner.
