The farmers of Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are calling on the relevant authorities to compensate them for the millions of dollar in crops they lost during the flooding two weeks ago that was caused by heavy rainfall.
When Stabroek News visited Hope yesterday, farmers complained that they are all left jobless since all the crops they owned were all damaged or badly destroyed in the floodwaters.
They also express deep concern that the relevant authorities have not yet paid them a single visit and they are calling on them to do so since they are asking for assistance in anyway, whatever it may be.
The farmers told Stabroek News that they believe the Minister of Agriculture is well aware of the situation. “The government promised us farm land how long now and all they do is keep promising,” said Gangaram Ramdai.
He added that since he relocated from Mahaicony Creek to Hope things have taken a turn for the worse, because during the period he encountered about six floods and in each instance he suffered tremendous losses.
Another farmer, Balram Ramkarran said he lost over $500,000 in crops and he is calling on the government to provide him along with the other farmers with the necessary machinery they promised so they can cultivate the land themselves. Ramkarran said right now all he is doing is sitting home watching the weather since he fears losing again.
Ray Doodnauth said, “Whenever it rains is flood and when is sun there is no water.” Doodnauth said he even has to pump water to maintain his crops at his own expense on a daily basis.
Angry farmers express their concern that despite the government negligence there is also no system in place at the Hope Estate. They added that previously the drains were cleared and the koker was functioning, but now only when something like this happens does someone try to do something.
The farmers that said in 2008, then Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud had promised them five acres of land each and now they need him to recall his promise since they are in need of the land. They also said that if the authorities could give them the machinery to maintain their crops, they would be satisfied.
After the two days of heavy rainfall Hope farms were flooded and remained under water for about one week before the water drained off.
