GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA) -- The prevailing El Nino phenomenon is likely to linger for a prolonged period and, because of its serious effects, Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo is calling for tough action and sacrifice on the part of citizens. The Head of State was speaking to a packed room of farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector gathered at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre for a workshop on El Nino and government's interventions.

The workshop sought to enlighten the key players in the sector, particularly the Water Users Association and stakeholders in the regions, about the situation and its implications. Powerpoint presentations focusing on the phenomenon and its impacts in Guyana were done by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth and Chief Hydromet Officer Bhaleka Suelall.

Given the experiences in early 1990 and 2000 Government made preparations in anticipation of the phenomenon since August 2009, recognizing that the lack of adequate preparation will result in devastating impacts on agriculture and general living conditions. The Caribbean and Latin American experiences of the phenomenon during 1997 and 1998 resulted in losses totalling about US$33B. Guyana's situation is no different since the potential loss as a result of the effects of the phenomenon is estimated at $3.5B. Jagdeo was speaking to farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector gathered at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre for a workshop on El Nino and government's interventions.

In his remarks the President gave the assurance that the government has taken serious note of the situation which is affecting not just Guyana but the entire Caribbean. He made reference to Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding's remarks about the challenges in the provision of potable water on that island. Rainfall predictions at this point in time are uncertain and the President said 'we have to pretend as though this would last for a very long time in the future,' and take actions in keeping with that approach.

"It will require some tough action and sacrifices on the part of citizens because conserving water, careful use of water, better management of water will all be very important lessons we have to learn and learn quickly in this period," Jagdeo said. First on the list of priorities, the President explained involves acquiring drinking water and the sustenance of economic activities that are vital to people's livelihood.

El Nino, a Spanish word for Christ child is a temporary change in climate in the Pacific Ocean which warms to about two degrees above normal. The phenomenon occurs at different levels with a strong El Nino lasting for a period of about one year before returning to normalcy. Since May 2009, many parts of Guyana have been experiencing 50 to 60 percent below the long term average rainfall.

The Ministry of Agriculture's Hydromet Service said that most international climate models indicate that the current El Nino episode will be at its peak between January and February. It is expected that during February to early April the current trends of reduction in rainfall in likely to continue over Guyana, with higher probabilities of drier conditions.