Hydromet needs upgrade to provide sound water management system – Mustapha

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha acknowledged that more must be done to conserve freshwater used in agriculture and has committed to improving the services of the Hydrometeorological Department to build out a ‘sound water management’ system.

Minister Mustapha earlier this week said the government is working with farmers to efficiently utilise water and mitigate challenges brought on by climate change.

“The hydromet service of the Ministry of Agriculture remains committed to working with all national stakeholders and national partners to improving the management of our national water resources.

“The service is aware that Guyana cannot effectively manage water resources which it does not measure, to address this step we are working to improving our hydrological observational network to provide the data and support services required for sound water management,” Minister Mustapha said on World Food Day.

Guyana is experiencing warmer and drier conditions now as part of the El Niño period. Although Mustapha recently said the country has enough water in storage, cash crop farmers are demanding more water for their crops.

The Hydromet Department has a $83M Hydromet water treatment and testing lab and is be responsible for establishing, managing and operating national systems to monitor the quality and use of Guyana’s water systems, both private and state-owned.

However, the minister said it is imperative that the authorities have an effective system and relevant data to properly manage the situation.  He said the ministry is trying to establish a long-term management plan and it is looking to international partners for assistance.

Notably, there has been significant investment and continued partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Corporation in Agriculture (IICA), UN food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), which will aid with transforming the Agri-food system here and address issues such as the threat of climate change.

Meanwhile, the ministry has advised farmers to use drip irrigation systems, rain harvesting and other systems that reduce water wastage..