Government has agreed to clear the mouth of the Abary Creek in order to alleviate the suffering of farmers in the area.

A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud relayed this information to farmers during a meeting at Onverwagt road-end, Abary Creek on Sunday. Persaud and a team of ministry officials and representatives from the Region Five Regional Administration met with farmers to discuss possible interventions to protect property during the recent flooding.

The discussions centred on protecting the cattle, particularly calves, from the harsh weather conditions. Suggestions were made for the animals to be relocated to the dam surrounding the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricultural Development Scheme, but rice farmers who have crops under cultivation in the scheme opposed the idea.

They said that the animals will stray into their farms and damage their crops.

GINA said the ministry has agreed to provide veterinary supplies and supplements to maintain the cattle at their current locations. Farmers were advised that about $2M has been made available to facilitate this exercise. Two veterinarians will be stationed full-time in the area to assist farmers and medication and supplements will be distributed through various farmers’ groups in the respective areas.

Farmers told the meeting that there was need for land titles to be granted so that they can access money from banking institutions to secure their farmers from flooding during heavy rainfall. Persaud told them that he recognises the urgency of this matter and action is being taken to address it.

Farmers were also consulted on other actions to help relieve their area from water when a suggestion was made to clear the mouth of the river to enhance its discharge capacity.

One farmer offered his two short-boom excavators to carry out the works and government agreed to provide the fuel and pontoon to transport the machines to the area. Government also agreed to cover the necessary operational costs of the job.

The minister had visited the mouth of the creek and inspected the area to be cleared. He also checked out drainage and irrigation structures at Little Abary and Profit/ Foulis along the Abary Creek.