Berbice farmers urged to return to farmlands – as Drainage and Irrigation primary focus

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Farmers on the East Bank of Berbice are being encouraged to return to farmlands. Region Six Regional Executive Officer Kim Williams-Stephen made this request as she emphasised the regional administration’s commitment to the agriculture sector.

According to Williams-Stephen, the East Berbice-Corentyne RDC has set aside $117Million to support the sector. Extensive Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) work is scheduled to be done in several farming areas along the East Bank of Berbice including Pleght Anker.

“On the East Bank of Berbice, (we) encourage persons to go back to the farmlands (as) excavation and drainage works would have been carried out there,” the REO urged.

Additionally, Williams-Stephen said other areas along the Canje creek and up the Corentyne coast have already benefited from D&I interventions, clearing the way for agricultural activities.

“Several rehabilitation works have been carried out on sluices. We had rehabilitation work on the Wellington Park and Cumberland village sluices.”

Additionally, the main drainage canals at Liverpool and Alness on the Corentyne coast were excavated. The Region has also overseen the excavation of the Number 66 Creek. The REO said that this intervention would benefit approximately 200 fishermen in that area.

“Work was done to ensure that the (Corentyne rice) lands are either irrigated or adequately drained. We had the rehabilitation works to the heavy-duty bridge at Black Bush Polderso as to ensure that farmers would have access to their farmland.”

The East Berbice-Corentyne region is primarily an agriculture-producing area. One of the key elements for the region to contribute to the overall success of the agriculture sector is adequate and efficient D&I of farmlands along with the provision of passable road and waterways.

 

By: Delicia Haynes