MINISTER of Housing and Water, Irfaan, Ali has denied allegations that the ministry has uprooted cattle farmers in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, from pasture lands, highlighting that instead it has sought out land for them. Ali said that the allegations made against him by the head of the Tuschen West Cattle Farmers Association, Deonarine Cheddie are false. “I never spoke to anyone. No one came to my office,” Ali told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday after the head of the association had alleged that the minister had ordered him out of his office.
The farmers had said that they were alarmed that their pasture lands were being taken away for housing development projects.
Minister Ali, however, said that the ministry has taken nothing from the farmers. “We haven’t taken any land from them; in fact, we have given them land,” he said, explaining that the Tuschen pastureland was an old issue that was already resolved.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Livestock Development Authority, Dr. Dindyal Permaul, said that the Ministry of Agriculture has been working directly with the Housing Ministry to locate pasture lands for the farmers. “We know their concerns. And we are committed to ensuring that their livelihoods aren’t destroyed.
“The land is under threat, yes. But we have been working with these farmers for years and we want to tell them a success story. We don’t want to tell them that we haven’t found any land. We are committed to them…to ensuring that when we do find land, which is a challenge, we will improve technology for newer pastures. We will help them clear the land and fence it,” Dr. Permaul assured.
He said moreover that he understands that the demand for house lots has placed a strain on the farmers. But that is a result of development. He said that the housing projects result as more areas develop, for example the growth of schools and other institutions.
“This is one consequence that the housing development brings and we are concerned. And we are trying to find alternate lands for them. Again we remain committed to ensure that their livelihood is not ruined,” Dr. Permaul stated.