WE the farmers of Pomeroon would like to express our dissatisfaction at the comments made by the Opposition Leader Robert Corbin’s utterances in a Kaieteur article dated Saturday July 18, 2009. First of all we, the legitimate farmers would like to know who Mr. Corbin met with to arrive at his poor conclusion that Pomeroon farmers are being neglected by the Ministry of Agriculture. We, who live and farm here, know the reality and the support by the government which cannot be judged by a fly-by-night visit to the Pomeroon and make wild comments as in the case of Mr. Corbin.

Farmers of Pomeroon have a cordial working relationship with the government, and the Ministry of Agriculture in particular. We have had interactive sessions with the minister who does not make promises that cannot be fulfilled and we the farmers admire that approach.

If the opposition leader is so much interested in reaching out to farmers we would like to see him more often and he should advertise his visits and not sneak in the Pomeroon to create mischief and paint a false picture of Pomeroon which is constantly developing from what it was years ago.

Mr. Corbin needs to awaken from his deep slumber in his ill fated attempt to discredit the Ministry of Agriculture and implicate the farmers by attributing his statements based upon meeting with farmers in Pomeroon. We the legitimate farmers are very upset about this.

Farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture already have a plan to support and further develop the area, the progress of which is gradual and the farmers are appreciative of this effort to make farming lucrative. Pomeroon was instrumental in stabilising the price for food in Region Two and make affordable food to other regions and for export. Mr. Corbin needs to look at the figures. This was realised as part of the ‘grow more’ food campaign.

As such, it is misconceived of the Leader of the Opposition to say that the Pomeroon is being neglected because the NDIA has been doing significant work in the Pomeroon.

More markets have been captured and existing markets expanded, contrary to the Leader of the Opposition’s claims. It also seems to have escaped Mr. Corbin’s attention that increased food production played a major role in stabilising food prices on the local market, which saw a spike during the height of the world food crisis.

Finally, we the legitimate farmers of Pomeroon will continue to work with the government and the Ministry of Agriculture to realise the true potential of the Pomeroon and ongoing initiatives to enhance the livelihood of farmers.