Livestock, cattle and rice farmers of the riverine communities in the Abary Creek, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), are now in dire straits because persistent rainfall is causing them to incur major losses.
They are crying out to the authorities for urgent assistance because not only are their farms under water, but their houses have been inundated for more than seven days, and this is causing them tremendous discomfiture.
The flooded farmlands in Abary Creek community
According to reports, some 300 to 400 feet of the main creek in the area has been blocked by marine vegetation, and this is making it difficult for the water to recede.
Guyana Times spoke to Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal, who highlighted that flooding is preventing persons from perusing their livelihoods.
Ramphal noted that farmers are alarmed by the astronomical losses they have been made to bear. While appealing for assistance for those people, the Chairman revealed that the issue can be easily rectified if the creeks and canals in the area are cleared.
This publication spoke to Ramo (only name), a cash crop farmer in the area who has suffered major losses. This farmer says he has lost some 1000 small plantain suckers, 500 squash plants, 1000 red pepper plants and 5000 sweet pepper plants to the flooding.
“I lost everything…that is, everything that I plant was covered by the water,” Ramo related.
Previously, the Drainage and Irrigation Department of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) was responsible for clearing the creek, but since 2012, no maintenance work was carried out on this waterway. As such, farmers cannot use boats to transport crops and tools, an alternative route has to be taken.
According to Seeta, another cattle and rice farmer of this community, she has lost 10 cows out of the 50 which she owns.
She noted that her rice cultivation is also currently under threat, and this could result in major losses for her.
“The creek block up and nothing can’t pass, and that is what causing the problem here for we,” the worried farmer relayed to this newspaper.
Ramphal revealed that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was only recently made aware of the flooding threat in the area, and allocated resources from the Region 5 budget to the MMA/ADA.
“From Abary to Mahaica Creek, the RDC allocates money for agriculture purposes, and will warrant that money to MMA for them to carry out the works,” he noted.
For several months last year, several farming communities in Region Five have grappled with extensive flooding, which resulted in lost crops and threats to livestock.
