By Saskia Warrick
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha unveiled plans for the rehabilitation of 63 sluices across Guyana, funded by a 45-million-US-dollar initiative from the World Bank.
This announcement was made during an outreach to Region Six over the weekend, where the Minister emphasized the project’s significant impact on enhancing the country’s drainage system and supporting local farmers.
The rehabilitation project, expected to commence procurement processes in July, aims to benefit approximately 320,000 residents nationwide.
It is part of the Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Project, complementing the government’s allocation of 72.3 billion Guyanese dollars for Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) efforts this year.
These combined efforts aim to bolster flood mitigation strategies and enhance climate resilience across farming communities.
Minister Mustapha assured farmers that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will soon begin the necessary works, which are crucial for increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable food production in Guyana.
During the outreach, Minister Mustapha also highlighted ongoing desilting and maintenance works in critical canals throughout farming communities in Region Six. These efforts are integral to improving water management and supporting local agriculture.
Additionally, Minister Mustapha announced the imminent commissioning of the pump station at Adventure Village, marking another milestone in the government’s commitment to modernizing and strengthening Guyana’s agricultural infrastructure.