THE Ministry of Agriculture says it is disappointed with the continuing impasse at the Belle Vue Cane Farmers Marketing Cooperative Society and the apparent inability of the responsible agencies to deal expeditiously with these issues.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, in a press statement, said that the production of sugarcane and its crucial value to the national economy could not be disputed; and as such, strategies will be implemented to ensure this matter is dealt with appropriately.

He said its importance to the livelihoods of rural families and their quality of life is of paramount concern to the government.

It is in this regard,that the minister has appointed a team comprising the Secretary to the National Cane Farming Committee, Mr. Muthuswammi Permual, Mr. Cecil Seepersaud, and Mr. Randy Beckles of the Ministry of Agriculture, to delve into the issues and to
make recommendations for their resolution.

This development came about following matters relating to threats and injustice being done to local farmers when they refused to sell their lands to a non-member of the society.

The ministry is of the belief that Belle Vue farmers’ concerns, rights and their welfare were ignored and the then committee was continuing to demoralise the members and allowing persons to trespass on the society’s lands.

The Ministry of Agriculture said it is aware that problems exist in other cane farming cooperatives, and will work closely with the Cooperatives Division of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services, and Social Security to resolve these.