Unemployment, lack of markets highlighted by Pomeroon residents

… as new farmers group formed

A new farmer’s group was formed in the Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to assist as well as represent cash crop farmers in that area. The group was formed during a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) outreach with the aim of having key agricultural issues address.

During the outreach, Chairman of the RDC of Region Two Devanand Ramdatt along with a RDC Councillor, Vilma Desilva, met with farmers and residents of the Lower Pomeroon and discussions were held on a number of issues. Among some of the issues raised were the high unemployment rate, as well as poor drainage and irrigation in the area. At the moment many youths living in the riverain area are unemployed and parents vented their concerns on the issues.

During the meeting, farmers requested for a group and as such an election was done and the new group was formed. After the formation, Ramdatt commended the efforts of the farmers for taking the bold initiative and further encouraged them to give emphasis on transparency and accountability.

He also encouraged members of the group to have a group Constitution, ensuring that the group be register and adequate record keeping as well as regular meetings should be maintained.

Apart from the general views shared about the struggling economy, residents raised the following concerns: the need for improved drainage and irrigation, request for empoldering of farm lands to prevent floods, Extension Officer from the Agriculture Department and NAREI to meaningfully engage farmers and timely supply of information needed on market for agricultural produce.

In the education sector, residents raised concerns for drainage works to be conducted on the Hackney Primary School, the unreliable supply of school juices for students within the Hackney neighbourhood and the high rate of school dropouts. They called for the truancy campaigns to be taken to that part of the region. There were also reports of short supplies of items given to schools putting a burden on parents and request was made for a secondary school be constructed at Lower Pomeroon.

There are also needs for medical outreaches in the area, since it is very costly to access healthcare out on the Coast.

Other key matters that engaged discussions were high unemployment, particularly among young people. Requests were also made for Guyana Lands and Surveys to address ownership of lands in the Pomeroon. Residents also reported that the dumping of garbage and coconut husks in the Pomeroon River by popular businessmen are creating challenges for river transportation and siltation of the river mouth. Farmers also made requests for access to duty-free machinery for farmers and farmers groups.

Cash crop farmers also requested support from the Government for coconut water producers in order to have the coconut husks recycled.Field inspections to various farmlands were also conducted after the meeting. (Indrawattie Natram)