Highbury farmer with 60 acres of rice lands get assistance to water crop
Rice farmer, Mr. Mohan Singh of Highbury, East Berbice -Corentyne (Region Six) will soon be one of the beneficiaries of critical drainage works under the Regional Democratic Council which will see his rice lands being irrigated.
Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill made this commitment to Mr. Singh during a roadside chat in Highbury on Tuesday, at the close of a meeting with residents. Regional Vice-Chairman, Mr. Zamal Hussain was also there.
Mr. Singh told the officials that his rice lands have been starved of water due to a stagnant drain along the main road that connects a nearby drain to his rice lands.
“I just spoke to the regional engineer and we agreed that in the morning at 8 o’clock, we will bring the smaller excavator from NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority] to assist this farmer to excavate and clean this trench so that he can access water from the canal,” the Vice-Chairman disclosed.
Mr. Hussain said the critical intervention will save the farmer’s crop. Results are expected as early as Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill said a nearby sluice will be examined to allow farmers better access to water since Mr. Singh reported the area is not frequently cleared.
“My sea defence engineer from the Corentyne will visit tomorrow,” he said.
Minister Edghill visited the Region to evaluate a number of projects under his portfolio and to listen to residents’ concerns about infrastructural projects that are needed in their communities.