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Crop cultivation in Mahaica and Mahaicony has not yet commenced. Farmers are waiting for flood waters to recede from their lands.Yearly, during rainy conditions, farmlands are affected by massive flooding, which destroys cultivated areas. In addition, the soil becomes unsuitable for replanting within a short time-span.According to farmers, every rainy season the Ministry of Agriculture and Government Engineers visit the Mahaica and Mahaicony farmers who plant in the riverain communities to advise them on precautionary measures against the floods.To them,Pat Tillman Cardinals Jersey, their woes would be reduced if water from the Maduni Creek is not emptied in the Mahaica/Mahaicony area. Whenever, the East Demerara Water Conservancy is full to capacity Government opens the Maduni Creek, which flows into the Mahaica and Mahaicony riverain areas.The farmers stressed that this saves the lower East Coast from flooding. As a “reward” for losing cash crops, livestock and rice, Mahaica and Mahaicony farmers, who lose 100 acres, are given 15 bags urea, and 20 bags seed paddy.In December 2011 and early 2012, farmlands in the area were affected by flooding. Farmers were promised assistance from Government but to date it has not materialized.The farmers noted that Government offered them an excavator to use for two days. They are still waiting for this promise to be fulfilled so that they could pump rainfall from their lands.They have also lashed out at the Opposition parties in Parliament for cutting the project money for the Cunha Canal, which would have served the Mahaica/Mahaicony farmers well.The farmers alleged that while campaigning for the November 28, 2011 National Elections, the Alliance For Change (AFC) had promised to see all farmers insure their crops. They are disappointed that the AFC made a decision that has led to farmers suffering.They added that as the leader of the Opposition, David Granger should be objective and look into the interest of all Guyanese.“We are not saying that Lindeners are not suffering but you and AFC must not look in one direction in this country…you must see the plight people are going through in the riverain area in Mahaica/ Mahaicony,” the farmers noted.According to a farmer, he lost 50 acres of three-week-old rice. He is currently indebted to most commercial banks, millers, pesticide dealers and large companies such as Geddes Grant Ainlim. |
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