Agri Minister calls on farmers to conserve water ahead of hot spell

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha urged farmers to conserve water and not to block waterways as Guyana braces itself for another prolonged hot spell.
The Hydrometeorological Service anticipates above-normal temperatures across Guyana from September to November 2024.
On this note, Mustapha during an engagement on Saturday last stated that farmers need to pay special attention to the advisory and ensure they conserve irrigation water.
“They cannot drain the irrigation water from the irrigation canals through the drainage canals. I have asked NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority] to put mechanisms in place to monitor these canals and ensure that we have all systems in place and all structures must be operable during this period,” he noted.
The Hydro-meteorological Office has explained that the period between September and November, are typically the warmest months of the year, particularly in September and October, when extreme heat and heat wave days are common.
The forecast indicates an increased likelihood of higher-than-average temperatures, which could have widespread effects on public health, agriculture, and livestock. Also, the period is considered the driest in coastal regions in Guyana.
Further, the Hydro-meteorological Office forecast also indicates that farmers may face challenges due to reduced water availability and increased stress on crops, leading to lower yields. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can affect the growth and productivity of key crops, and water-intensive crops are particularly vulnerable.
According to Mustapha, a task force comprising the NDIA and other agencies that fall under the Agriculture Ministry is currently engaged to ensure that enough resources are available to tackle issues that may arise as a result of the above-normal temperatures.
“The conservancies around the country are at their normal level and there are a lot of other irrigation canals that we are making available to farmers. We have pumps available.”