By Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
May 18, 2001

AS PACKS of labba (Agouti paca) wreak havoc on Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) farms, wild hogs are causing similar destruction in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

Region Nine Chairman, Mr. Vincent Henry reported yesterday that the hogs have eaten cassava crops in the area and about 315 families are being severely affected because of the problem. "...and that was compounded by a long dry spell we had since early February. Forest fires swept the farms and also destroyed some of the cassava crops and what remained the animals consumed", he said.

Sand Creek and Potarinau are the villages that suffered the worse, the chairman reported.

Lethem, Shulinab, Maruranu and Parikrunau are among other villages where farms were destroyed and the regional administration has appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development for assistance, Henry said.

Officers from within the region are assessing the damage and a report will be compiled.

Henry explained that because of the recent dry season, which caused the outbreak of forest fires in some mountainous areas, animals were forced to move down in search of water and food, which they found at the farms.

He said that since the rainy season began farming has resumed in some areas but there is need for cassava stems and seeds such as beans and blackeye, which will help the farmers to continue planting.

The labba rampage in Region Eight is posing a threat to the livelihood of Amerindian residents and is engaging the attention of Cabinet.

An inter-Ministry committee, headed by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues, has been set up to assess the damage done by the red/brown white spotted animals from the rodent family which are considered pests in farming areas.

Reports coming out of the region stated that about two weeks ago the animals began destroying food crops, including cassava at Kurukabaru, Kato, Paramakatoi and Kopinang villages.

Rodrigues yesterday said about 200 residents in another village, Kamana, reported being affected as well.

In total, some 2,847 residents in the four villages, 1,800 in Paramakatoi, have suffered as a result of the attack.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Phulander Kandhi said a report on the damage was due to be submitted to the ministry on Wednesday.

He yesterday advised that the damage to farms is still being assessed and based on the report, officials will know how many persons have been affected and be better able to determine the quantity of relief supplies needed.

The Ministry of Health has also been alerted to make provisions in case residents get sick because of a lack of food, Rodrigues said.

Amerindians in the region depend mainly on subsistence farming and the rodents are attacking mainly cassava, a produce that is essential in Amerindian diet.