Farmers’ group meets PM on land policy

A DELEGATION from the National Food Crop Farmers’ Association (NFFA) met with Prime Minister Patrick Manning on Tuesday to discuss agricultural issues affecting farmers throughout the nation. The delegation presented Manning with a policy paper on the state of farmers and the agricultural sector, which revealed the NFFA’s view that “land must belong to those who work it.” According to the group, the most troublesome issue is land tenure and farmers across the country have been left with little security for production, or for accessing loans and other financial grants for expansion or upgrades.

“In recent times, we have seen the destruction of several tonnes of crops belonging to farmers because they were deemed to be squatters,” the group stated. The NFFA said many “farmers have been made squatters by the slow bureaucracy of the State” and with the State moving full speed ahead with its housing programme, arbitrary rules and conditions are being applied for land classification, rates and lengths of leases. They cited as examples destruction of crops and produce for the purpose of constructing homes at Ramgoolie Trace in Curepe; the St Joseph Government Farm; at Bon Air East/Garden Village/Orange Grove/ Pasea; Bois Bande Village and Caura.

Among priorities listed by the NFFA is provision of standard agricultural leases at rates in line with those agricultural lands and not at open market value, as well as preservation of prime agricultural lands for agricultural use. The NFFA is also articulating a policy position which will include stakeholders making suitable decisions following consultation. They are also asking that a TT national be appointed to oversee distribution of agricultural lands. In addition, the NFFA would also like to be represented on State Boards that deal with farmers or agriculture, while an officer appointed from the PM’s office would oversee implementation of recommendations, and liaise with the NFFA.