Dear Editor,

Climate change means that farmers can no longer rely on the signs that they used in the past to help them decide when to sow and harvest along with predicting flooding. All of the regions have been affected by the rains. The worst affected areas were Regions 5 and 6 as they remained under floodwater from heavy and persistent rain. The government and the Ministry of Agriculture needs a plan of action quickly to deal with flooding, and provide useful and helpful information for the municipalities, NDCs, citizens and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority for the welfare of the country.

The rains have now become very irregular. Technology offers a solution, but with fewer stations, the weather monitoring network is weaker in Guyana than the minimum level recommended by the World Meteorological Organization.We have suffered many environmental changes over the last decades, which have led to a need to provide additional support for drainage to avoid serious flooding with the loss of crops and livestock.

Under the Agricultural Support Services Programme, the late Minister of Agriculture Sash Sawh instructed the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority on January 1, 2006, to lead the way forward for major improvement in this area so flooding could be avoided. These  changes were necessary because of poor planning. The country‘s drainage systems depend on gravity flows to the sea in addition to some mechanical pumps. The average daily discharge of rain is expected to increase, resulting in more flooding.

An expert in 1998 presented a report to Minister of Agriculture Reepu Daman Persaud, in which he suggested ways to combat the La Nina crisis. The document contained recommendations and findings relating to flooding. He identified areas where help could be sought, such as funds to purchase items like pumps to provide relief.

Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan