Flooding, deplorable roads affecting Region 5 farmers, residents
– cash crops regularly inundated
Residents in several farming communities across Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have voiced their concerns over periodic flooding and deteriorating roads. According to the farmers, these issues are continuing to threaten their livelihood.
On Tuesday, Guyana Times was once again told that the recent heavy rains were
The rising water level in areas along the Mahaicony River earlier this week
repeatedly inundating farm lands, causing some damage to cash crops. These crops include bora, tomato, pepper, pumpkin and squash. It was explained that often times when it rained heavily, the fields would become waterlogged, sometimes for a few days. If prolonged, this would result in losses.
Residents claimed that should the water level rise, their farmlands would be completely inundated, with one Mora Point inhabitant saying that it was since last year that the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) conducted any drainage works in the area.
The MMA/ADA is a sub-agency under the Agriculture Ministry tasked to “provide water control for the coastal lands up to a distance of some 30 miles inland, by impounding the flood waters in surface reservoirs (conservancies) located in the upper reaches of the rivers, and through the construction of appropriate civil engineering infrastructure; [and] provide Drainage and Irrigation (D & I) services to the areas nearer the coast”.
When contacted, MMA/ADA General Manager Aubrey Charles told this publication
Residents and farmers want the Mahaicony Branch Road rehabilitated
that Tuesday was the first time he heard of the recent flooding. He, however, disputed the allegation that it was since 2016 that works were done in the Mahaicony area. Charles said the agency currently had a dragline working in Mahaicony.
“It was earlier this year that we had works done there; we have a dragline working in the Jagdeo Canal going towards Mora Point,” the General Manager emphasised.
Apart from the issues encountered in the flood-affected zones, farmers have had much difficulty in transporting their produce from their plots to be sold. This newspaper was informed that many of the farm-to-market roads were in need of serious repair. Among the areas in need of rehabilitation are: Mahaicony Branch Road, De Hoop Branch Road, roads at Burma and Abary, Esau Jacobs Access Road and Champagne Access Road.
Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal in an interview with Guyana Times
The state of the road at De Hoop, Region Five
explained that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was aware of the flooding threat in the area. He explained that allocations from the Region’s budget were given 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. (Shemuel Fanfair)
