There is less acreage of rice under cultivation in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Chairman David Armogan said while indicating that the intention to double production may be unachievable this crop.
As rice farmers prepare to commence reaping paddy, the Regional Chairman posited that the Central Government is obligated to repair dams to allow them to be able to bring their produce out of the fields.
Many of the dams which the rice farmers use to get to and from their fields have been destroyed during the prolonged rainy season.
Speaking with the media on the issue, Armogan said Government will be spending close to $50 million to repair those dams.
The state of some on the dams on the Corentyne and in the Black Bush Polder
“The rainy season is still with us, it has not rally stopped although we are in August and coming to the end of August and August is supposed to be the driest month of the year. Unfortunately, due to climatic changes, what we find is that August too has become a very wet month. So, we are spending over $45 million on the repairs to dams through the Ministry of Agriculture. Dams are being repaired in Black Bush Polder; dams are being repaired in 52/74, in Crabwood Creek, in the front land areas, in New Forest and many other places where rice cultivation is taking place,” Armogan said.
On Sunday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha commissioned a $24 million grader in the region. The equipment will be used to assist with the maintenance of dams in rice farming communities.
According to the Agriculture Minister, $84 million is to be expended for access dam maintenance for 2022.
He noted that the long-term objective is to double rice production in the region.
However, Armogan pointed out that there is less acreage under rice cultivation this crop when compared with the last crop in Region Six.
“So we are working very closely with farmers to ensure that they can take out their paddy so that we don’t lose too much in this crop. We have already had a shortfall in terms of acreage when it comes to a comparison with previous crops. We have planted just over 50,000 acres this crop. Previous crops we have over 64,000 acres. So it is a reduction. We have to be able to take out the paddy to make sure that we get enough supply for export and for local consumption as well.”
Work has already started on repairing dams. The region has budgeted to spend $45 million on that project.
“The $45 million may not be adequate so we are asking farmers to assist as well to see how they can utilise their equipment and to assist with the making of the dams as well,” the Chairman urged. (G4)
