Upper Corentyne farmers are enthusiastic about the clearing of canals and other major infrastructure, which will also see the building of a drainage system similar to the one at Hope, East Coast Demerara. However, they would like to see better monitoring and maintenance of all the work being carried out.
One such is rice farmer Ramgolam Singh, who has operated in the Corentyne area for several decades. In an exclusive interview with the Stabroek News, he said that due to the government’s construction of a farm-to-market road in Number 58 Village, Corentyne, farmers are able to access their rice fields and pastures even when there is heavy rainfall. The 6.4 kilometres road was completed with asphaltic concrete back in 2022 and has eased farmers’ access to their fields. Previously they had to battle mud dams or await decent weather to get into their fields. Singh pointed out to this publication that over 300 rice farmers and 500 cattle farmers have benefited from the road. A drive along the road reveals over 350 acres of rice land on either side.