Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Rice Development Board wish to make known several facts in response to an otherwise misleading article published in the December 17, 2019 edition of the Guyana Times Newspaper titled `Rice Farmers stand to suffer major losses’.
The article alleges that due to the flooding experienced from the excessively heavy rainfall and “poor drainage and lack of proper systems”, rice farmers and residents are frustrated at the rate of drainage and are requesting that an assessment be done of the situation. This was done.
As it relates to the current situation in the region, roughly 7055 hectares of land has been sown. From this amount, the rice that is under threat and affected is between 1 to 37 days old. Under threat in this case means that the crop is likely to be affected if the water does not recede in a timely manner. “Affected” refers to day-old rice that has been under water for 5 to 7 days, this can be lost if the rice remains under water for 2 weeks and over. Those areas that are under threat include; New Road to La Resource, Better Hope to Hampton Court, and Windsor Castle to Suddie. The age of the crop that is under threat and affected is between 1 to 37 days old, and so far no losses have been reported.
The pump at Lima is fully functional and working, as well as the two pumps at Hampton Court. Kokers and pumps are working in the villages of Three Friends and Capoey. The Better Hope Koker will soon be operational, and will aid in drainage efforts. All relief structures that are opened, are draining water into the Supenaam Creek. Some of the farmers have also taken it upon themselves to have mechanical drainage done on their land.
It must be noted that the amount of rainfall that was experienced within Region 2 over the last week was unusually high. Supenaam alone recorded 9 inches of rainfall, with Anna Regina trailing behind at 5 inches of rainfall. Record high rainfall was recorded at Capoey Lake, Hibernia and Red Lock at heights of 5.5, 7, and 6.5 inches respectively. Region 2 has a drainage coefficient of 2 inches in 24 hours, given the amount of rainfall experienced in the region in such a short time span, it goes without saying that the areas affected would experience some flooding for a day or two.
The article states that “The RDC and the people of Region Two are concerned about the continued negligence and delayed response from the Agriculture Ministry on such key matters”. It is worth noting that while the necessary pumps are in place and fully operational, the core issue is that of fuel for the pumps to run. Funding for the purchase of this fuel would have long since been allocated to the RDC leaving them responsible for providing the fuel necessary to run the pump stations.
The GRDB through its officers will continue to monitor the situation in Region 2, and offer assistance where necessary to farmers. The Civil Defence Commission has also deployed their Rapid Damage Assessment Team to support Regions 2 and 3.
Yours faithfully,
Nikosi Bruce
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
