-by Celestine Chacon

As the country prepares to enter the El Niño period, the Ministry of Agriculture is set to roll out a comprehensive plan in the new week.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha made the disclosure today while speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with farmers at Lusignan.

Mustapha stressed that the country could experience dry conditions extending into the first quarter of 2027. Hence, the Ministry of Agriculture is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure that adequate water remains available.

“We are not at a concerned level, we have enough water in the system and we are advising farmers to conserve on water and next week I will meeting with the main stakeholder to roll out our plan,” he said.

Mustapha said there is also a possibility that the water entering the creeks could become salty at some point. He said the Ministry is putting systems in place to deal with this on the coast as well as hinterland, using a number of canals as reservoirs to store water.

“Over the last two years we have done a lot of water catchment area, these ponds we have in Region 1,9,region7 and 8, and those now water are being stored in those area and people are using those water,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, during the engagement with farmers, several concerns were raised.

These included the availability of pasture for cattle, drainage and irrigation problems, and the need for proper places where fishers and farmers can safely and clean and dry fish. Minister Mustapha addressed some of the concerns on the spot, while assuring that issues outside the Ministry’s responsibility will be taken to the relevant Cabinet ministers and agencies.