Corentyne rice farmers pleading for f
As thousands of Guyanese continue to battle floodwaters throughout the country, rice farmers within the Number 52/74 Neighbourhood Democratic Council on the Corentyne are pleading with the government for financial help since most of them are presently several millions of dollars in debt and are unable to make any payments on their own due to the losses they have suffered.
Further, based on the damage in the backlands which are presently submerged, the farmers estimate that the government would have to spend at least $100 million on repairs once the water recedes.
Traditionally, rice farmers would purchase their machinery, fuel, chemical and other supplies on credit. Usually after the crop is completed and the farmers have harvested, they would repay their loans. However, due to the losses they have suffered as a result of the flooding, which has since been declared a national disaster by President Irfaan Ali, rice farmers are finding it nearly impossible to meet their financial obligations which is causing them a great deal of frustration.
Rice farmer, Ramgolam
Singh, explained that one month ago he had informed the Water Users Association along with an engineer that the situation in the backdam was getting “very serious” as it seemed that water was getting into the irrigation system. At that stage he had advised them to close the discharge at the Manabisi pump but after the engineer contacted someone, he was told that the pump could not be closed.
Singh yesterday said, “Myself and the engineer went there and they confirmed that the water was coming through the Manabisi pump.” According to the farmer, upon their return they discovered that “at the siphon which is 18 feet by 10 feet water, a two door to close and the Water User Association refuse to close because them say cattle is endangered and the people in Kwakwani was flooded and the
water come through the Torani Canal by opening the seven door into Canje Creek, flood Canje Creek and use the water pond canal which supplies the farmers in 52/74 and flood the entire area.”
An upset Singh further related, that the flooding which started one month ago and has increased over time, caused the entire backlands to be submerged thus blocking rice farmers from returning to their cultivation for another crop and causing immense damage to infrastructure in the area. “Some of the biggest disasters you are going to face in 52/74 is all the access dam is covered under water and it will take the government over $100 million to put back that place in order,” he opined.
Singh pointed out that not only are the rice farmers themselves affected but also their staff and the persons who depend directly and indirectly on them which adds up to several thousand. He said persons are likely to soon become unemployed.
Stabroek News was told that there are presently around 300 rice farmers within the 52/74 area. Around 25 of these have suffered huge losses.
Also, as of yesterday Stabroek News was told that the siphon doors were closed, the pump was off and four machines were in the area working which has left farmers hopeful that in about one week’s time they would get some relief in terms of the floodwater receding. However, they were still unsure as to what their next step would be since given their losses they would be unable to