At Buxton…
A PROBLEM of land ownership dominated a meeting last Thursday between farmers in Buxton and Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
The issue had to do with persons who had certificates of title for plots which they claim were granted.
Chairman of the Buxton Grant Co-op, Mr. Leroy Hamer said about 20 farmers are working in the disputed area but Persaud assured that funds will be released, to the Lands and Surveys Commission, soon, to accelerate a resolution to the dispute.
The Minister urged that the famers, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) representatives and the Lands and Surveys Commission, as well as other stakeholders, work together on the settlement.
Meantime, Persaud said the onus is on the Ministry to ensure that the land is put to productive use and he made a tractor available to the farmers to assist them with their farming activities.
He said, presently, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) provides support to farmers and they get technical assistance from Ministry representatives while residents are exposed to sessions of the Farmers’ Field School, which offers exposure to new systems and techniques.
“If we are going to restart agriculture here, we have to do it the best way, with the best technology, from the start,” Persaud insisted.
He said there is need to regularise drainage, prepare other plots for planting and build a $125M sluice, noting that the advancement of agriculture will help the community as a whole.
Persaud said progress is being seen and can be expanded in the future, once more people get on board.
He said, already, significant investments have been made, including $100M for drainage and irrigation (D&I) works and he pledged that the Administration will continue to invest towards larger scale production.
Persaud said his ministry’s role is to make sure that the land is put to productive uses, which, in turn, earns returns that improve the lives of those who are involved.