Farmers Agree to Embankment After Disagreements Delayed Flood Protection Project in Region Five

According to the Guyana Times, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha revealed that disagreements among farmers had held up the construction of a crucial flood protection embankment situated at Big Biaboo along the Mahaica River in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). Farmers from Big Biaboo and several neighboring communities participated in a meeting on Saturday, during which they consented to the suggested works, thereby enabling the Government to advance its plans for the structure, which is estimated to be about 3.5 kilometers long. This proposed embankment, which measures approximately 700 rods, is intended to offer enhanced defense against flooding, a recurring issue for local farmers.

Addressing flood concerns, the Minister voiced his disappointment that the proposed embankment could not proceed due to disagreements among farmers, despite its potential advantages for the agricultural community. He noted that while some farmers supported the initiative, others opposed it, which created difficulties for the Ministry of Agriculture. Mustapha stated that the project should have been initiated much sooner but faced opposition from certain farmers.

Mustapha emphasized that decisions regarding infrastructure meant to safeguard agricultural lands should be based on the interests of the broader community rather than individual preferences. He declared that if the attendees agreed, he would instruct Lionel Wordsworth and his team to begin building the embankment to prevent future flooding in the area.

Following the Minister’s appeal, the farmers present at the meeting agreed to the proposed embankment, clearing the path for the Government to advance preparations for construction. Mustapha subsequently instructed Wordsworth to proceed with the necessary technical arrangements, including the preparation of the engineering design. The Minister clarified that the scale of the project necessitated adherence to established procurement procedures before construction could commence.

The announcement suggests the project might be advertised for tender as early as October 25, pending the completion of required preparations. This proposed embankment is part of wider Government initiatives aimed at reinforcing flood protection and drainage infrastructure within agricultural communities.

Mustapha disclosed that around $25 billion is being allocated to high-level drainage canals and related infrastructure across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara), Five (Mahaica–Berbice), and Six (East Berbice–Corentyne). He explained that these investments are intended to improve drainage in low-lying agricultural zones where excess water has repeatedly impacted cultivation and resulted in losses for farmers. The high-level canals are designed to discharge water directly into the Atlantic Ocean, thereby lessening reliance on tidal conditions. In Region Five, two high-level drainage canals are being developed to boost drainage capacity and lessen the strain on existing internal canals serving residential and agricultural areas.

Mustapha also mentioned embankment works extending from Mahaica toward Ithaca to help shield communities from water originating in the backlands. He expressed optimism that the major drainage works could be finished by the middle of 2027, and further stated that completing the drainage infrastructure in Region Five is anticipated to make about 55,000 additional acres of land available for agricultural development. Mustapha indicated that this expansion would create opportunities for farmers to increase cultivation and contribute to national food security, though he cautioned that opposition to major infrastructure projects could weaken efforts to improve drainage and protect agricultural lands.

Regarding a separate high-level drainage canal project, Mustapha reported that the Government continued to face objections despite extensive consultations with affected individuals. He mentioned that Wordsworth had visited the area over 20 times to engage stakeholders before construction, but disagreements persisted. According to the Minister, work on that separate project remained suspended while the issue was being addressed.

Concurrently, Mustapha announced that cash crop farmers would receive machinery assistance to enhance infrastructure on their farms, specifically through raising planting beds to mitigate flooding's impact. Under this intervention, each farmer would receive three days of machinery services, with equipment operating for nine hours daily, totaling 27 hours of assistance. The Minister estimated this intervention would cost the Government approximately $486,000 per farmer, factoring in machinery operations, fuel, and other associated costs, while the Ministry of Agriculture's statement rounded this estimated value to about $500,000. This assistance would be delivered via machinery services instead of direct cash payments.

Mustapha committed to deploying three machines to the area within one week, potentially as early as Wednesday, October 21. To coordinate this effort, he requested that farmers form a committee to collaborate with the Ministry’s engineers in determining machinery deployment locations. A committee was subsequently established during Saturday’s meeting. The Minister stated this arrangement would help ensure fair distribution of assistance and prevent machinery from being directed toward specific individuals at the expense of others. In addition to the embankment and machinery aid, Mustapha pledged to rehabilitate the community’s farm-to-market road, explaining that the road would be upgraded using crusher run as a more affordable substitute for costly construction methods. Mustapha also suggested that additional farm-to-market roads could be considered for inclusion in the 2027 national budget, although he did not commit to every road requested by farmers. The proposed rehabilitation is expected to improve access to farmlands and facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce. With farmers now in agreement on the proposed embankment, the Ministry of Agriculture is expected to advance the engineering design and tendering process for the approximately 3.5km structure, while three machines are scheduled to be deployed to the area by Wednesday to start assisting farmers with improvements to their agricultural lands.