The drainage and irrigation subsector recorded several notable achievements for 2023. At an end-of-year press conference today, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha proudly highlighted a series of significant advancements, including the initiation of works on 17 new pump stations. Also, in a first for Guyana, Mustapha said a conservancy was established in Region 10, providing critical fresh water that is already enhancing the productivity of local farmers.
In terms of equipment and infrastructure, Minister Mustapha reported remarkable improvements at both the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA). This enhancement in resources marks a major stride in strengthening the country’s agricultural infrastructure and efficiency.
“…we have seen over the last three years, for example, MMA had three dilapidated excavators, and now they boast a fleet of six functioning ones,” the minister said.
At NDIA, Mustapha said there have been a number of key advancements. He said, “We have a pontoon with two excavators in the Pomeroon, and we are now building another pontoon with two more excavators. We also have cutter edge dredges, which are capable of going into the banks of the outfalls, and we have long reach, medium reach, and mini excavators being procured by NDIA.”
In another two weeks, Minister Mustapha said works will begin on the construction of the canals in Regions Six and Five. Mustapha said these will be similar to the Hope Canal located in Guyana’s Demerara-Mahaica region. The Hope Canal is a significant engineering feat designed for flood relief. It channels excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy to the Atlantic Ocean, effectively mitigating flood risks for agricultural lands and communities in the surrounding areas.
Minister Mustapha said projects such as pump stations and sluices to support these mega structures in Regions Five and Six are also planned for 2024. “So in all, you will see approximately three Hope-like canals in Region Six and five in Region Five. I am hoping this will help us in alleviating flooding across the regions,” the minister said.
In Region Five, he shared that drainage and irrigation works were done for 28,500 acres of land, of which 15,000 acres constitute new land in Herstelling, Berbice.
In the Pomeroon area in Region Two, he said critical irrigation works are planned to alleviate flooding woes.
“…We are now doing block drainage and we are lifting the beds of these cash crop farmers to approximately 1.5 metres so they would not be easily flooded out during high tide or heavy rainfall,” the minister said. These works, he said, will benefit over 550 farmers and will cost $1.87 billion.
