Farmers across Region Five (5) can rest assured that the Ministry of Agriculture through the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary- Agricultural Development Authority and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority is carrying out works to prepare for the May/June rainy season.
In 2021, farmers in this region suffered tremendous losses in livestock, particularly in the 52-50 acre of dairy plots. Acting General Manager of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary-Agricultural Development Authority Mahendranauth Ramjit explained that the MMA is creating a flood embankment in this area to heighten the dam to minimise flooding. This in addition to the construction of canals and drainage systems is expected to assist in minimising flooding.
“So the dam is three miles long…this will protect an area of 2600 acres in his block.”
In addition, the MMA-ADA will be procuring two additional long reach excavators and a heavy-duty tractor to assist with drainage, maintenance and irrigation of the dams. “Also we have the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority carrying out works within the 52-50 acre, the area has 5 dams which we will have to heighten, the NDIA will be carrying out heightening two of these dams within the same area.” Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said the Government cannot stop flooding but could put systems in place to mitigate it.
“we are preparing as an entity to ensure that we mitigate these floods, as I said, this year we will be having a number of pumps, almost 40 pumps will be purchases this year so that will enhance our pumping and draining capacity so that we’ll have these pumps placed at vulnerable areas.” $166M was allocated in the National 2022 Budget for the MMA-ADA to carry out capital projects to prepare for the flooding in 2022.
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