Over 5000 Region 5 farmers receive $1 billion in flood relief

Over 5000 farmers and households in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) who suffered losses as a result of the recent countrywide flood, have begun receiving flood relief.
Farmers and householders are expected to receive checks of no less than $50,000 each and no more than $10 million.
The relief effort, which will be rolled out in every region, will see $7.6 billion being given out to farmers and of that sum, more than $1 billion will go to farmers in the Mahaica-Berbice region.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha explained that even though some farmers suffered losses in rice, cash crop and poultry, Government was only giving assistance for one category of farming. Meaning that multi-activity farmers will only receive a pay-out on the category which they suffered the most losses.
However, he pointed out that all farmers who suffered losses will receive some level of assistance. Explaining that in excess of $7 billion will be distributed to affected persons throughout the country, the Agriculture Minister noted that Government is not borrowing money for the is project while noting that it is not compensation for losses.
“We are fighting corruption, we have stopped squandermania and we are putting the money to the benefit of the people of our country… This is not compensation for a lost. This is a relief and we must recognise that the Government is trying its utmost to ensure that it delivers to the people of our country,” Mustapha said.
President Irfaan Ali had said it was Government’s intention to provide financial assistance to various categories of persons who had been affected by the floods.
While addressing the gathering, Minister Mustapha said the Government understands the importance of getting farmers back to the land so that they can begin to earn and provide for their families.
“We recognise the importance of getting our farmers back to the land as quickly as possible and to get back the livestock we need as quickly as possible. That is why the President himself has been leading the team around the country to meet with those who were affected. The President made a commitment that, at the end of the day, we will do an assessment to know what was lost. Our officers were tasked with carrying out a thorough investigation so that we can give assistance to farmers as soon as possible. Today is a testament to the promises made by the President, His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, and the PPP/Civic Government,” Mustapha said.
Meanwhile, most of the farmers this publication spoke with expressed appreciation for the relief cheques. Farmers also noted that it was the first time that they received a cheque from any Government after suffering losses as a result of a flood which destroyed their crop and stock.
To date, thousands of farmers from Regions Five, Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have benefited from the Government’s flood-relief initiative. Distribution in other affected Regions is scheduled to commence within the coming weeks.