- during follow-up visit to community
The Ministry of Agriculture continues its financial support to farmers, to ensure that they remain productive, as Guyana’s main priority remains the availability and sustainability of food security.
On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and Chief Executive Officer, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth visited Buxton backlands to access the works currently in progress to clear the area for further land cultivation.
The area, has over the years, been receiving much attention from Government, which has been helping farmers through the distribution of planting materials, equipment, and chemicals; while other forms of support such as the provision of livestock (genetic) have also given.
Minister Persaud said that the follow-up visit was to assist farmers to make use of the lands for cultivation which will in term benefit the community and the country as a whole.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud interacts with contractors during the rehabilitation of the canal at Buxton backland
“We have seen some progress, but I must say that we need to see many more farmers getting involved and tapping into the support we have been giving. We just purchased a new tractor which we will not only be used in this community; but others as well,” he said.
As the Ministry of Agriculture continues to place emphasis on the diversification of the non-traditional sector to stimulate export and increase earnings for rural farming communities, similar exercises are being conducted along the East Coast backlands including Enterprise, Victoria and Bee Hive.
At Buxton, a farmers’ field school has been established by the Agriculture Ministry, to have farmers exposed to new techniques and technologies.
According to the subject Minister, over the last two years, approximately $100M has been expended by Government, to get cane farmers specifically, to be more productive. Cultivation will be aided with the construction of a $125M sluice.
“We will be building a sluice which will take a lot of water that has been accumulating, since for decades that has been a problem. But the area is much more productive than the last time I visited,” the Minister noted.
Minister Persaud pointed out that the Government is making huge investments and therefore he would like to see an improved scale of farming; since it is the way to go.
While referring to the $125M sluice which will be constructed to adequately facilitate the area’s drainage system, he said that the initiative is a continuation of the farmers’ support programme in the village; clearing major canals which have not be cleared for decades.
This year alone the Ministry will be spending close to $50M to commence earthen works in several areas.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud interacts with contractors during the rehabilitation of the canal at Buxton backland
“We have about five projects that are ongoing within this area and this is just one of those. This canal will allow the back water to come down to support cane and crop farmers all the way down to the pump basin. This will be done in the other sections too where we will be doing similar works with the hope that this will bring the areas under productive use,” Minister Persaud added.
Due to the now renewed interest of farmers to resume cultivation; Minister Persaud asserted that, the Government will continue to give its support and already there are canal clearing works being undertaken.
The Ministry is not only providing drainage support but also technical support such as inputs and ploughing of the lands. Farmers are only required to farm.
“ We hope that this type of commitment that we have demonstrated which started in 2007, will be of great assistance to residents and farmers of Buxton and its surrounding communities; enabling them to become more food secure.”
The Ministry is also encouraging farmers’ group to also see themselves not just as farmers, but as businesses; since the potential, not only lies in cash crop but also the rearing of livestock.
While the Ministry has donated a number of breeding animals through its sub-agency the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), vets were also made available to assist the farmers with proper husbandry.
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud (flanked) by farmers and technical officials from the Ministry during visit to Buxton backland
It is anticipated that a cottage industry will be established within the area to facilitate processing.
While giving an overview of the drainage project, NDIA’s, CEO, Lionel Wordsworth said that the works form part of a wider drainage and irrigation network for the entire East Coast communities.
“This will facilitate the community, since in the past it experienced a lot of uncontrollable flows of backland water during the rainy reason. But what you are seeing now is the rehabilitation of the main drainage and irrigation canals.”
Within the process, approximately 40 miles of canal will be rehabilitated along the Buxton/Friendship areas, while works to the Crown Dam from Lusignan to Ann’s Grove, Green Field and Moca Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara have been completed.
Similar works are ongoing in Sarah Johanna and Craig, on the East Bank of Demerara.
For 2010, over $49M has been spent on D&I works in the Buxton/Friendship areas. These include;- rehabilitation of Buxton Middle Walk sideline- 45 percent completed, rehabilitation of Buxton east sideline- 40 percent, rehabilitation of Buxton west sideline- 85 percent construction of Timber Bridge at Buxton company across the CNC Canal, rehabilitation of Friendship Canal, Pond Dam to Crown Dam- 5 percent, rehabilitation of Friendship East sideline- 5 percent and emergency revetment works at Buxton Pump Basin.
No comments:
Post a Comment