Minister Persaud updates Parika Back farmers on developments for area

- Rehabilitation of access roads main target

By Erika Haag-Tularam

As follow-up to a Cabinet’s outreach on the East Bank of Essequibo on June 2, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today during a farmers’ meeting at the Parika Back Primary School; used the occasion to update farmers and residents on Government’s plans and programmes thus far for the area.

            The Minister was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Lionel Wordsworth, Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber, Guyana Rice Development Board, General Manager (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh, New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), General Manager, Nizam Hassan and technical officers from the Ministry.

The meeting dealt with critical issues that stemmed from the recent Cabinet outreach including; - the rehabilitation of the access road, construction of a façade bridge at ‘Parika/Naamryck’ road, rehabilitation of Parika access dam, substandard work by Water Users Assocsiation (WUSs), truancy, proper irrigation and drainage structures in the area especially in light of the La Nina condition, and additional land for cultivation.

Minister Persaud during his remarks said that $300M has since been expended on the rehabilitation of D&I structures and the construction of bridges so far, noting that the investments made require farmers’ support, to ensure that they are sustained and managed; pointing out that works are often neglected.

They were urged to manage the structures for success of their farmlands.

“Throughout the country works are being done and are not being maintained. If we see something wrong to a structure let us try to fix it. It is ours and we have to be responsible for it,” he said.

The issue of market opportunities was also highlighted at which the Agriculture Minister indicated that a cold storage facility has been commissioned at Parika in this regard.

Citing the need for proper access roads in the areas, Minister Persaud indicated that the Ministry of Public Works has since allocated $13M, of which his Ministry has contributed $35M for the completion of the all weather road.

The contract for the five kilometers of access road was signed on September 7.

“Government has been looking to fund the project by cutting back on some of our D&I works; since we have realized that it is critical to the farmers and the community as a whole,” Minister Persaud said.

While referring to climate change, the Agriculture Minister said that there are many challenges that are being faced on a daily basis, making reference to the flooding caused by the recent spring tide.

Food security

While speaking on Government’s Agriculture Diversification Project, Minister Persaud said that food security is now a pivotal factor in Guyana’s economic development, noting that the country no longer enjoys preferential market.

            Government has been working assiduously to promote its Agricultural Diversification Programme which targets an increase in the export of non-traditional commodities.

            Farmers also made request for more frequent visits by the Plant Pathologist and an investigation into the function of the WUAs.