De Hoop farmers are set to benefit from $20M for the purchase of seed paddy and fertilizers, as part of a $300M El Nino assistance package announced by the president.
“Across the country we have started that recovery package in dealing with the El Nino. Government has allocated $300M for the total efforts of rice, livestock, cash crop and hinterland food issues,” Minister of Agricu-lture Robert Persaud said in his address to farmers on Wednesday.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release Persaud said despite the prolonged drought rice production not only remained stable but it increased in Region Four. He said 20,000 more acres of rice were cultivated in that region than in the first crop.
The Ministry has also been embarking on other interventions including lifting embankments and building canals and sluices. These interventions are aimed at creating alternative outlets for water to reduce the pressure on the Mahaica Creek. Persaud also said plans are in train to open up new areas for cultivation.
