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FIELD REPORT- JULY 1999

TRIP TO MAHAICA-MAHAICONY-ABARY/AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MMA/ADA) PROJECT SITE

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LOCATION: Onverwagt, Region 5
DATE: July 31, 1999
DURATION: 7:00 to 18:00 hours
WEATHER: Fair
NO. OF PERSONS PRESENT: Ten (10)
WAY OF TRANSPORT: Road

INTRODUCTION

The Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) Scheme was first conceived during the late 1940's. Plans for the Agricultural development of the MMA Region were outlined in 1952. The Abary River Water Control project was the first phase of a development programme to bring the MMA region into full agricultural production by providing water control for the coastal lands up to a distance of about 48km (30 miles) land, between the Berbice and Mahaica Rivers. The water stored in the conservancies was intended to be used for the gravitational irrigation of crops, mainly rice, through a constructed canal network with development of 171,000 hectares (422,222 acres) of land such that:-

STAGE I: Berbice to Abary River

STAGE II: Abary to Mahaicony River

STAGE III: Mahaicony to Mahaica River

To date, however, only Stage 1 of the Project has been completed. Rice, sugar cane, cash crop and cattle productions are the main agricultural activities.

The travelling distance from Central Georgetown to MMA/ADA Project Site is 88km (55 miles)

OBJECTIVE

To study the layout of the MMA Scheme.
To witness the operations of drainage and irrigation on sections of the land within the Scheme.
To observe the procedures involved in the maintenance of power pumps on the Atlantic coastline.

RATING OF TRIP:

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory