LAND and human capital constitute the foundation of agricultural enterprises, according to the Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment.

He disclosed that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Resources and the Lands and Surveys Department and the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), is working to regularise lands for both agricultural and residential uses in Region 5(Mahaica/Berbice).

“While the process may be long, in the end over 500 families will receive titles to properties on which they have been living for over 30 years with very little cost, if any, to them. This is a significant accomplishment initiated by President Ramotar.” – Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall.

He said, “Upon the directions of President Donald Ramotar, myself, the Minister of National Resources and the Lands and Surveys Department are working together to regularise over 500 house lots in the Cotton Tree area and to issue titles for those lots. Persons have been occupying those lands over the last 30 years without title.”
According to him, these efforts, as per the laws of Guyana, require a “particular procedure” to be embarked upon.
“The process started some time ago with a survey being done in relation to the area. Unfortunately, it is a long and drawn out process. It will eventually after engaging the attention of a Land Court Judge,” Nandlall said.
The AG highlighted that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which was recently constituted, is taking active steps to appoint judges to the Land Court.
“While the process may be long, in the end over 500 families will receive titles to properties on which they have been living for over 30 years with very little cost, if any, to them. This is a significant accomplishment initiated by President Ramotar,” he said.

AGRICULTURAL LANDS
Nandlall stated too that as it relates to the regularisation of agricultural lands, meetings have been held between him, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Ramsammy, MMA officials and Region 5 residents.
“We met with the residents of Rampur and Shieldstown villages to address the issues of making available to these villagers who are largely farmers more land for agricultural purposes. I am pleased to report that we had several meetings with the residents and I advised them to form themselves into a Co-op Society. They have done so,” he said.
The AG announced that some 1,200 acres of land will be made available to the villages for communal agricultural uses. “We are now in the process of making available to them over 1,200 acres of land for their communal use,” he said.

ROLE OF MMA
Nandlall also stressed the important role of the MMA in ensuring that farmers have access to “arable and well irrigated” lands.
The MMA/ADA is a semi-autonomous agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, governed by a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the formulation of policies for the efficient functioning and operations of the MMA/ADA.
The Authority’s role is to: “Promote, facilitate and enhance sustainable agricultural development in the region through the efficient management of the land resource.”
“This way our farmers can unleash the potential of the land and, in turn, unleash their own potential to create wealth and improve their lives,” the AG said.

PROPER LAND USE
He also urged proper use of the land, as stated in the leasehold titles, rather than risk loss of that title because of misuse.
“The land remains the property of the State, but lessees hold and occupy the land for their benefit. The legal framework supports the interest of farmers, towards the goal of improving livelihoods, but the lands must be used for the purposes stated in the leases,” Nandlall said.
Additionally, over 100 persons received leasehold titles for State lands in the MMA/ADA area, last Friday.

FARMERS
“Farmers in Guyana are one of the most important groups of people…you, the farmers, the architects of agriculture, impact the local economy in a significant way,” Nandlall said.
According to him, Government will continue to work with local farmers to ensure that the agriculture sector is developed to benefit all Guyanese and, by extension, Guyana.
“We are a far way from realising the full potential of the sector, even with the successes we have had to date,” Nandlall said.
He made it clear that engagements, toward this end, will continue with farmers to ensure the availability of lands for agriculture and the expansion of agricultural activities, in the interest of improving lives.
“The Government is working and will continue to work with our farmers and the people of Guyana to ensure that they benefit and have greater opportunities to improve their lives,” Nandlall said. (Vanessa Narine)