The Ministry of Agriculture is proposing the zoning of lands as a solution to an ongoing debacle between cattle rearers and rice farmers in Region 6. This recommendation follows a successful meeting that was hosted last weekend when Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha visited the area. During that engagement, he offered remedies to the decades-old issue of cattle encroaching on the productive lands of rice farmers.
Mustapha told the gathering that government will be proposing that lands be zoned in accordance with district, location, and type of farming done. He noted that a separation of the lands should have been enacted already. The zoning will cost $14M.
“We know for a fact that this happens all across the country. But this became intense, especially in the last few weeks. I was able to give the cattle farmers a fence that will stretch from number 52 to number 66,” Mustapha stated.
Minister Mustapha said that the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall S.C was also written about the matter of animals being pounded for wandering. He noted that while the region has animals pounds, there are others who are illegally impounding animals. Mustapha said advice from Nandlall should be forthcoming soon. He further noted that animal pounds were engaged to lend assistance in the matter.
The Agriculture Minister also said that the Guyana Police Force will also be involved to ensure that the system enacted is complied with by farmers and other stakeholders.
