GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA, January 30, 2009) - Aquatic weeds are often found in waterways of cultivation areas. They impede the free flow of water, create transportation difficulties and increase the storage capacity in these waterways which may be problematic to farmers during the rainy season.
In this light, Government has intensified its efforts to support farmers by embarking on a strategy for weed management in these waterways.
A workshop today under the theme “An integrated approach to aquatic weed management in Guyana”, was held at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) conference facility at which Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, representatives from the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), water users associations and other agriculture officials were present.
NARI’s Director, Dr. Oudho Homenauth said that the workshop was aimed at creating a long-term strategy for weed management in Guyana through an integrated approach and that the input of all stakeholders is essential in implementing a project which is scheduled to start next week.
Dr. Homenauth said that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) through its weeds agronomist, Dr. Ricardo Labrada was in Guyana to help in the development of this strategy.
He said that agencies such as NARI, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Board (PTCB) are currently executing a project on integrated management of weeds in the aquatic environment. This, he noted, is done in collaboration with the FAO.
Minister Persaud told the workshop’s participants that the issue of weed management is critical as it can cause severe disruption in the country’s efforts not only to maximize the current potential in terms of food production, but it can endanger and affect the living conditions of people.
He remarked that this was the reason why the government was looking at non- traditional or innovative ways in dealing with this problem.
The Agriculture Minister said his Ministry is looking at models and arrangements that were tried and tested as well as it is seeking the support of international bodies such as the FAO and the United Nations in addressing this problem.
Dr. Labrada has been working with the Ministry for the past months, looking at the situation and coming up with the diagnostics or recommendations that are applicable to the long-term objectives.
The issue of drainage and irrigation, the Minister said, is critical since one of the problems in many communities is the clogging of the secondary or tertiary systems by weeds and siltation.
Minister Persaud noted that the project was accelerated since the danger and the problems posed by weeds were seen during the December / January rainy season.
He explained that it had cost NDIA approximately $780M to manage and control weeds which was a severe financial burden.
GuySuCo spent some $480M to keep its waterways free from weeds and impediments with the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary / Agricultural Development Authority (MMA /ADA) spending another $82M.
Minister Persaud remarked that in excess of $1B was spent which could have been used, not only for the agriculture sector but the country as a whole.
He stated that the biological control mechanism “is an exciting one” but the ramifications needed to be examined and experts were engaged to ensure that whatever approaches were taken, the situation is not compounded.
He noted that the United States Department on Oceanography administration had also issued some dire predictions in terms of climate change and was the reason for flood control mechanisms to be in place.
At the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), four excavators were at work to remove weeds and buffer the dams.
Minister Persaud said he intends to set up a permanent working group since all the different agricultural sectors, including rice were battling the issue of weed management.
Dr. Ricardo Lambrada also made some recommendations for improved strategies for management of aquatic weeds and also spoke of chemicals including 24D and Glyphosate which could be used in managing of weeds.
Guyana News