Agri Minister condemns acts of “cattle-hacking” in Region 6

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has condemned acts of cattle-hacking in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
This comes on the heels of farmers in the region appealing to the relevant authorities for help, after persons had hacked several of their animals. Some farmers who were forced to move their animals to the front lands, after their designated grazing areas in the backlands had become inundated, have reported that several of their animals are nursing life-threatening injuries allegedly inflicted by other farmers.

After learning of the incidents, Minister Mustapha condemned the acts, and is urging persons to desist from harming the animals.
“Over the past few days, cattle farmers from Berbice have been reaching out to me about the issue. I’ve instructed the regional agriculture officers to meet with the farmers. Farmers have also engaged regional law enforcement. I’m hoping that things do not escalate further. I know these are very troubling times for farmers, who are trying to preserve whatever cultivation and livestock they have left.
“I’m urging farmers to work together and be their brothers’ keepers, because this flooding is a national issue that has affected us all. This is time for us to demonstrate compassion for life and our fellow farmers,” Minister Mustapha has said.
The Minister has also said the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Regional Agricultural Coordinator for Region Six, Dennis Deroop, are currently working with farmers to determine the reason behind the heinous attacks, and to resolve amicably any conflict that exists.
He added that the GLDA and regional agricultural officers are working with farmers to ensure animals brought from the backlands remain housed in secure areas and away from farms and rice fields. Further, he said the GLDA has been providing feed free of cost to farmers.
Cattle farmers have been forced to relocate their animals to higher ground following onset of the rainy season back in May, which has resulted in the flooding of savannahs in Regions Five and Six and many other agricultural and residential areas across the country.
So far, more than 20,000 animals have been relocated to higher ground in the front lands. The GLDA has been using a pontoon to transport animals from the flooded savannahs to higher ground in the front lands.