I find the article in Stabroek News `El Nino bakes Mahaica Creek – farmers losing crops’ – published in the Saturday, March 20, 2010 Edition as discrediting to the hard work of our public officers.
The article was riddled with inaccuracies and rather than seeking to obtain a balanced story, as customary, a one-sided, misinformed article was churned out by Stabroek News’ Berbice reporter.
As a matter of fact, farmers are indeed losing crops, but at the same time every effort is being made by the authorities to manage the limited water resources available. I am not sure if most of us are aware of the severity of the current dry weather and the numerous interventions that are being made in comparison to other countries right in our hemisphere. The Government through the Ministry of Agriculture has led in its response to support farmers and mitigate losses.
Despite the low prices for fresh fruits and vegetables on the market, I believe that farmers are receiving lucrative returns despite their strenuous work in the scorching sun and the current battle to get water.
Further, we fail to recognize the investment and support farmers are benefitting from in the form of fertilizer, seeds, planting materials and other supplies.
Alternatively, if prices were high there would be a huge cry by consumers and of course Stabroek News would capitalize on it.
The harsh weather we are experiencing has been mitigated by numerous interventions and we must recognize the hard work of our officers.
I strongly believe that the Stabroek News Berbice Reporter is not fully aware of what is happening on the ground.
I do hope the relevant authorities will be responding to clarify this gross inaccuracy.
Yours faithfully,
Shamshudeen Khan
Editor’s note:
The travails of the farmers of the Mahaica Creek were faithfully reported after a visit by the Stabroek News reporter. The report was not intended to reflect the efforts that have and are being made to mitigate the effects of El Nino. These efforts have been reported separately and, indeed, the same edition reported the statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud to Parliament on the steps that have been taken to combat El Nino.
