Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter in Stabroek News dated 18.9.08 by M. Alli on the water balance at the Skeldon Sugar Modernization Project (SSMP). Firstly, the figure of 80,000 acres is incorrect for the expanded area of Guysuco and the private cane farmers combined.
Secondly, sugar cane in Guyana can hardly be considered an irrigated crop. Minimal flood fallowing is done on “plant cane” which represents a small percentage of the total cropping area. Studies on irrigated sugar cane in Guyana using modern techniques show that the increase in yield and quality due to irrigation cannot justify the investment, bearing in mind rainfall throughout the year.
Water balance studies were done by a Booker Tate senior civil and irrigation engineer. These studies indicated that no additional water is available in the Canje Creek without causing salt intrusion and led to the design and construction of two conservancies and a pumping station at the south-western end of (behind) the estate. The Block 10 pumping station is designed to pump drainage water from most of the expanded estate into the conservancies during the rainy season, avoiding the wastage of water flowing into the Corentyne River. Flood fallow water can also be recirculated from most of the expanded estate via the Block 10 pumping station.
It would be good if someone with the figures at hand could comment to clear the air on irrigation water planning at SSMP.
Yours faithfully,
Mohabir Raghunath
