The agriculture ministry recently hosted a workshop to demonstrate the drip irrigation technique to farmers, as it aims to have more local farms adopt the technique here.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the demonstrations were done by consultants from a Jamaican firm. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said he has given the project his ‘nod of approval’ as modern, innovative and relevant technology becomes more cost effective and time appropriate. Drip-Irrigation is the slow application of water to the soil through small openings on lines which are laid along the cultivation plot, GINA said.

The ministry said implementing the technique will allow farmers to reduce the workforce they employ for manual labour.

The minister also pointed out that employing this technique can increase productivity, viability and competitiveness by reducing cost and ensuring product standards meet international requirements. As Guyana’s Agricultural Diversification Programme unfolds, $1.2M will be spent on the procurement of equipment which farmers will be trained to use. Persaud said drip irrigation will greatly benefit the Interior and Rupununi Savannahs where inadequate rainfall prevents crops from reaching full potential. The ministry has since installed 10 systems in each of the regions and has permitted the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association to install an additional 14.

According to GINA, drip irrigation was first set up in a few farming districts after being introduced to Guyana in October 2006 to allow a constant supply of water through pipes which are placed close to the plant. The system allows a constant supply of moisture to reach root zones throughout the growing season.