| …livelihood of hinterland residents also threatened The Ministry of Agriculture has reported that approximately 2,000 acres of rice cultivation is under threat in Region Six if adequate irrigation water is not available.This is all due to the prolonged period of El Niño which is expected to last into 2010.However, in an effort to deal with this serious threat, it was noted that a number of interventions are being undertaken by the Agriculture Ministry.This includes the deployment of hydro-flow pumps at Crabwood Creek,China Jerseys Cheap, Eversham, Number 43 and Adventure to recycle water in the irrigation system.It was also noted that engineers and other technical officers are conducting an assessment to ensure all critical irrigation canals are clear, while there was the redeployment of excavators and other equipment to undertake irrigation works.The Agriculture Ministry also saw the need to increase the water release period in order to boost irrigation supply in the region, while a pump has been installed at Hogstye /Lancaster along with the deployment of excavators to clean canals at Number 70-71 Villages.Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry has also reported that the livelihood of hinterland residents in regions, one, seven, eight and nine are also under threat, as cassava cultivation is a staple diet in hinterland communities and is being severely affected in Region Nine, and by extension,Wholesale Stitched NFL Jerseys, the livelihood of residents/farmers.According to the Ministry, the situation is one of great urgency to ensure food security in hinterland communities which are already dependent on food supplies from the coastland.Meanwhile, in an effort to immediately address the issue, the Ministry has since formed a committee to discuss and implement measures to ensure relief and appropriate adaptation. The Committee includes the Ministries of Agriculture and Amerindian Affairs in collaboration with the Beacon Foundation and the North Rupununi District Development Board.It was also noted that a technical team will be dispatched to Region 9 to conduct further impact assessment as well as create awareness among residents of the realities and their role in mounting an appropriate response.The provision of relief food supplies and sourcing of cassava sticks of a strain that can flourish under the prevailing conditions are some of the measures that will also be taken by the Ministry.As it relates to Region 2, it was noted that the El Niño condition will have no severe impact on the region,Cheap NFL Jerseys, but according to the Agriculture Ministry, some amount of pumping is required in high farming areas that cannot be irrigated by gravity flow.To address the issue,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, it was explained that there is the operation of the four Dawa Pumps, which commenced since August 11, 2009 with 12-hour shifts and was intensified on August 18, 2009 to 18 shifts as more irrigation was requested by farmers.There is also the desilting of critical irrigation canals by manual and mechanical cleaning, while there is continuous monitoring of the opening of sluice/kokers to retain water at a safe level for farmers’ use.In Region Three, it was explained that some areas of Leguan and Wakenaam on the eastern side of the islands will be affected due to the increased salinity of the river water. However, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the Rice Producers Association are currently assessing the situation, while adjustments have been made to the standard irrigation schedule to ensure water is made available to farmers.It was also noted that at Wales and Uigvlugt, GuySuCo has implemented a re-circulation method by the use of pumps to ensure adequate irrigation water, while in order to conserve and prevent wastage, three excavators have been deployed to La Jalousie, Zeelugt and Vreed-en-Hoop to clear irrigation canals and to build embankments to ensure no overtopping occurs.There is also the construction of a stop-off at Farm. It was noted that this irrigation box will stop wastage of water to increase the level of irrigation to farmers.In order to minimise the impact in Region Four, GuySuCo has re-circulated water to meet irrigation needs of the estate and farmers,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, while water is being conserved by the management of the East Demerara Water Conservancy.Works are also ongoing to clear and maintain irrigation canals and structures.Meanwhile,Cheap Wholesale Jerseys, in Region Five, the Ministry has embarked on the emergency refurbishing of irrigation channels at Perth, Ranch Dam, Rutherford, Pandit and Poor Fellow Canal, while in Mahaicony/Abary, the operational capacity of the the Pump at Mora Point has been increased so as to ensure proper irrigation water.There is also the ongoing sealing of all breaches to prevent salt water intrusion in the Bellamy Canal.In Abary/Berbice, farmers are currently pumping to satisfy their individual needs, while canals are being refurbished.According to the Agriculture Ministry, there is no major threat at this point in time, but stressed the need for pump schedule to be maintained in order to ensure that irrigation needs are met. |
