Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 21, 2016 News
General Manager of the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agriculture Development Association (MMA/ADA),
Aubrey Charles, has said that the imbroglio between rice farmers and the association has been resolved though water rationing.
According to Charles, yesterday, farmers have generally been adhering to the Association’s efforts, with farmers who once complained of not getting water now getting sufficient supply. He stated that everyone was prohibited from pumping water for three days at one point.
He also stated that the three-day halt enjoyed such popular support that there was an extension by two days. In regards to the vandalism and dam cutting that had been prevalent in the area for weeks, Charles stated that this has almost been eradicated, save for some isolated incidents.
Charles also noted that there have been losses among the farmers, though he could not give the exact figures for the amount of rice that was lost.
Late last month, the rice farmers closest to the Mahaica river, in a bid to get increased water supply to their fields, had reportedly used excavators to block the main irrigation canals and also diverted the water to their fields.
When asked to move their equipment, it is stated that farmers justified their actions because of potential losses owing to the dry weather patterns of El Niño.
A team of officials visited the scene of the standoff on Saturday and instructed the farmers to remove the excavators. However, this order was reportedly ignored.
Farmers have had to use irrigation pumps with very little effect, forcing the intervention of the MMA/ADA and the National Drainage and Irrigation Board.
The MMA as well as the National Drainage and Irrigation Association (NDIA) have been monitoring the situation. It is understood that pumps have been working round the clock. Workers have also been testing the salt content of the water in the irrigation canals.
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