By
Abby Brathwaite
After waiting more than seven years, more than 600 former Caroni workers received leases to agricultural lands yesterday.
The former employees received their leases for two-acre plots at a distribution ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, O'Meara Campus.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a number of the leases.
She said the agriculture sector had been neglected and this had a negative impact on the economy.
"For almost a decade this sector was woefully neglected and we are intent on righting this wrong ... the neglect of the agriculture sector caused the alarming rise in food prices in our country that has contributed to the inflationary rates we are seeing and to other social and economic consequences," Persad-Bissessar said.
"It is my hope that in delivering your long promised land, you will recognise our intention to partner with you to rebuilding this crucial sector so as to promote effective economic diversification."
Leases for two-acre parcels of land were given to 610 former Caroni workers across ten allotted sites. Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath, the line minister responsible for the distribution of these lands, said more than 4,000 people were waiting on similar leases.
"I have committed that we will do all of the agricultural leases (about 7,000) by the end of December," Bharath said.
"The housing leases we have temporarily halted several of the contracts... for us to determine where we are going to put housing lots and which ones we are going to return to agriculture. So once the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) board is appointed and makes these determinations we will proceed with the housing lots."
He said he was aware of the hardships many of the recipients have endured since the sugar industry was shut down.
"Since the closure of Caroni (1975) Ltd we know that many of you have suffered tremendous hardships. Some of you have visited my office in Port of Spain on many occasions to personally tell me of your plight," he said.
He said the ministry was preparing an incentive programme in the new year to assist new land owners produce crops.
"As a matter of fact, come January, the Land and Water Development Division of the ministry, in conjunction with the EMBD, will embark on a programme of accelerated development of agricultural access roads."
Kenneth Glasgow, a former cane cutter, is anxiously waiting on this new initiative programme.
Now the owner of land at Felicity he said he needed the financial help to begin cultivation.
"I want to start planting some pumpkin and other short crops but I need some more help to start," Glasgow said.
The former employees received their leases for two-acre plots at a distribution ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, O'Meara Campus.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a number of the leases.
She said the agriculture sector had been neglected and this had a negative impact on the economy.
"For almost a decade this sector was woefully neglected and we are intent on righting this wrong ... the neglect of the agriculture sector caused the alarming rise in food prices in our country that has contributed to the inflationary rates we are seeing and to other social and economic consequences," Persad-Bissessar said.
"It is my hope that in delivering your long promised land, you will recognise our intention to partner with you to rebuilding this crucial sector so as to promote effective economic diversification."
Leases for two-acre parcels of land were given to 610 former Caroni workers across ten allotted sites. Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath, the line minister responsible for the distribution of these lands, said more than 4,000 people were waiting on similar leases.
"I have committed that we will do all of the agricultural leases (about 7,000) by the end of December," Bharath said.
"The housing leases we have temporarily halted several of the contracts... for us to determine where we are going to put housing lots and which ones we are going to return to agriculture. So once the Estate Management and Business Development Company (EMBD) board is appointed and makes these determinations we will proceed with the housing lots."
He said he was aware of the hardships many of the recipients have endured since the sugar industry was shut down.
"Since the closure of Caroni (1975) Ltd we know that many of you have suffered tremendous hardships. Some of you have visited my office in Port of Spain on many occasions to personally tell me of your plight," he said.
He said the ministry was preparing an incentive programme in the new year to assist new land owners produce crops.
"As a matter of fact, come January, the Land and Water Development Division of the ministry, in conjunction with the EMBD, will embark on a programme of accelerated development of agricultural access roads."
Kenneth Glasgow, a former cane cutter, is anxiously waiting on this new initiative programme.
Now the owner of land at Felicity he said he needed the financial help to begin cultivation.
"I want to start planting some pumpkin and other short crops but I need some more help to start," Glasgow said.
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