Region Six farmers benefit from $460M drainage works

Farmers of flood-affected communities in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) are now benefiting from improved drainage after the Region invested its $460 million budgetary allocation on a comprehensive cleaning and clearing of the drainage systems.

This initiative is a collaboration between the Regional Democratic Council and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Earlier this month Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan told DPI the initiative fulfils a commitment made by Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, after concerns were raised. In some communities, he said, when flooding reached extreme levels, farmers could not access their lands.

Region Six Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan

“Minister of Agriculture visited earlier this year and promised communities like Black Bush Polder, No. 52/74, No. 51 and Bush Lot to clear their drainage systems. We have been able to deliver that and it was quite a lot of work so now whenever there are heavy rainfalls, we do not experience any level of flooding that we use to experience before.”

Residential communities like Hampshire, Belvedere and Albion, also benefited from the work.

Additionally, the Regional Chairman said, adequate drainage equipment is in place to ensure irrigation.

“Our pumps are working effectively and efficiently and so whenever the farmers need water for irrigation, we are ready and able to assist them since we have sufficient fuel to last for the rest of this year,” he added. Moving forward, the Administration intends to put systems in place to enhance the Region’s farming communities and improve its agriculture production. This includes utilising the high-capacity drainage pumps allocated to the Region in the 2020 budget.