32,000 flood-affected farmers benefit from agricultural inputs

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) are working with Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) countrywide to bring relief to farmers who lost cash crops due to severe flooding.
According to assessments conducted by the CDC, lucrative crops in over 100 farms in Itaballi and Eteringbang in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Monkey Mountain, Chenapau, Taruka and Kopinang Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and other communities in Regions Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were washed away due to heavy rainfall and storm-like weather.
Additionally, high winds also partially damaged several homes in Rockstone, Region Ten, the occupants have since relocated with relatives.
In an interview with this publication, NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jagnarine Singh disclosed that fertiliser, seedlings, planting materials, and other agricultural contributions have been made available to some 32,000 farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to go back to the crop.
Singh explained that the items were provided to the various Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) and are being distributed to farmers assessments of the damage to lands are documented.
He noted that the provision of agricultural inputs is part of mitigation measures aimed at ensuring that farmers can recommence cultivation when the water level recedes.
“Right across Guyana, that’s a programme for NAREI, under the Ministry of Agriculture, under the blessing of the Minister of Agriculture we are supporting farmers across the country… And I think based on the record, we’ve got about 32,000 of them,” the CEO disclosed.
Singh added that the distribution of agricultural inputs will continue until all the farmers countrywide return to farming, which will be reflected in records.
“So, all over, they’re asking for plants, planting materials, fertilizers, small tools, all over… Everyone that comes forward, we have to talk to them and give them something,” he added.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) said it will continue working with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) to assist persons affected by providing them with cleaning and food hampers, mosquito nets, and buckets, as they await a recession of the flood waters.
In fact, since the commencement of the May/June rainy season, CDC has distributed over 800 hampers countrywide.

Precautions
In April, farmers and other large-scale companies in the agriculture sector were advised to plan as an unusual weather forecast was predicted for the May/June period. On Monday, the CDC reported that over 100 farms remain underwater as well as hundreds of residents were forced to higher grounds.
Chief Hydrometeorological Officer (CHO) Dr Garvin Cummings has disclosed that farmers countrywide were asked to harvest drought-tolerant crops early, collect water from trenches and conservancies as well as clear drains and other waterways to assist in flood mitigation.