Major infrastructural works are needed to rehabilitate key dams and access roads in the flood-hit communities of Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary.
In the aftermath of the flooding, residents are now totting up the damage left behind on lands that were inundated for months.
Water levels have dropped significantly in many areas and once the weather conditions remain sunny, residents can begin land preparation for crop cultivation by October. How-ever, farmers explained that water levels in the backdams and savannahs remain high.
A Mahaicony farmer, Lakhram Panday yesterday told Stabroek News that many farmers in his community are engaged in cleaning and clearing of vegetation in the canals and drains.
Panday explained that many of the dams and roads to their farms have been washed away or have deteriorated.
“Nuff place need to build up back… now that the water is gone you seeing what happened and how bad it is… it has been months since we are under water and now that it drying off, we can see how bad it is… the dirt from some dams are gone, some areas it pushed away,” he explained.
The farmer added that during a recent meeting with government officials they were informed that works will be undertaken to rehabilitate the roads. However, he explained that with moisture still present in the ground no work involving heavy machinery can be undertaken.
With the lands drying, rice farmers, he said are optimistic that they will be able to go back into cultivation for December.
Over in Abary, the situation is similar, cash crop farmer Jeremy Sharma said before explaining that many are eager to return to their farms.
He said the water level has been dropping at a reasonable rate as the promised excavator and pontoon is currently working to clear the river that was choked by vegetation during the floods.
He explained that many pasture lands remain under water and those farmers are also hoping to get some relief should good weather prevail.
“Right now everyone waiting to restart… it is not easy to be flooded for months. Everybody use up them savings just to survive this flooding and now we have to restart…” he said.
It was pointed out that many cattle farmers were forced to sell their herds and will have to purchase new stocks if they want to remain in the business.
Cattle farmers in the district have also suffered tremendously as many of their cattle drowned and died due to hunger. The farmers were also forced to sell their animals below market value.
The floods have resulted in significant losses to farmers across the MMA area and many are pondering their next move. Many farmers were in the land preparation phase for rice cultivation, but now they report that they will no longer be able to plant for reaping before the December rainy season.
The government is making payments to cattle and cash crop farmers who sustained damage during the floods.
