- Compensation desk moves from Police HQ to Vigilance
FARMERS of Buxton/Friendship, East Coast Demerara were yesterday given a full opportunity by the Government to raise issues of concern and make suggestions in the context of the on-going operations to clear the villages’ backlands of dense vegetation.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud met with about 120 farmers at the Buxton Community High school, at a meeting which lasted for about one hour and eleven minutes before it was disrupted by known Opposition elements. There were also earlier attempts by some Opposition elements to urge farmers not to attend or to interrupt the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Persaud stated that it is the mandate of his ministry to provide equal opportunities and efficient and timely services to all farming communities across Guyana.

The Minister assured villagers of Government’s commitment to ensuring that the livelihood of the farmers in the communities is not affected significantly.

“I am here to discuss how, together, we can reduce the negative impact on your activities,” he said.

Noting that over $33M was expended on improving infrastructure within the geographical area, Minister Persaud observed that the farming community has encountered several challenges that attributed to a decline in agricultural production in the area as well as the number of farmers.

“There has been a decline in the sugar cane cultivation from 577 tonnes in 2004 to 302 in 2007. Also, the 75 cane farmers who have supplied the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) have declined considerably,” he declared.
The Agriculture Minister also lamented the unpredictable weather pattern in the country and the difficulty to provide efficient and timely maintenance of drainage and irrigation infrastructure due to contractors’ unwillingness to provide the much needed services as a result of security concerns.

He noted that these have all impacted negatively on the community, with many farmers deserting the land due to violent criminal presence in the area since the Mash 2002 jail break.

The Minister urged farmers to become more proactive in the development or expansion of agriculture production in the area and proposed that more persons within the area become involved in the Ministry’s rehabilitation of extension services.

He suggested that this could be done through the provision of free training for interested persons to become Extension Service Agents.
Responding to security concerns by residents pertaining to the operations by the Joint Services, especially in relation to the clearing of the backlands, Minister Persaud stated that the Ministry of Agriculture is prepared to consider a number of proposals which include addressing the issue of inaccessibility by farmers to their farm lands.

In this light, the Minister disclosed that arrangements have been made for the Joint Services to facilitate farmers to harvest their crops if they are impeded by the on-going security operation.

Additionally, farmers who have been and will be affected by the operation in the backlands and whose crops are ready for harvesting will be assisted by the Ministry to secure markets, should they encounter problems in this area.

Farmers were also told that they would be compensated following verification by the Joint Services of all damages or losses incurred as a result of the current activities being conducted.

Additionally, the Minister advised that persons or farmers interested in establishing backyard cultivation systems as an interim measure of securing income will be provided with seeds and other planting materials by the Ministry.

Amidst undecided voices of farmers and concerned sections of both social and political elements pertaining to the impact of the Joint Services Operation and the potential benefits to be derived, Minister Persaud urged farmers to optimize the opportunity to expand their cultivation acreages.

“Buxtonians should optimize on the opportunity for the expansion of the agricultural production. As a result of the Joint Services’ operation, there will be improved drainage and ready access to the backlands which will increase production.”

“Also, as a result of the Joint Services operation in the clearing of the backlands here in Buxton, a delegation from Dem Amstel has approached my office to request the clearing of the dense vegetation in order to commence increased agricultural production,” the Minister posited.

In explaining the procedure for persons affected to claim compensation for damages or losses incurred, Minister Persaud stated that the ‘compensation desk’ established by the Joint Services at the Eve Leary Police Headquarters will also be relocated to the Vigilance Police Station which is closer to the area.

Farmers desirous of making claims should present evidence such as: land title or any record as proof of ownership and activities conducted.

Minister Persaud remarked that the decision to establish the ‘compensation desk’ at the police station was never intended to intimidate anyone but to allow for expeditious handling of the matters since there will be need for verification by the Joint Services and also for persons to be facilitated on a 24-hour basis.

Towards the end of the meeting, sections of the audience were encouraged by political personalities to leave the meeting when the Minister sought to correct a false statement attributed to President Bharrat Jagdeo.

It was claimed by political opposition elements and certain farmers that the President had branded all farmers as criminals. The Minister said that this was never said and that there are indeed hard-working and law-abiding Buxtonians in the community. These residents who make up the vast majority, he noted, are being held hostage by the criminal elements who have forced some to flee the area out of fear.

Meanwhile, the Ministry will continue to engage the farmers of that area on these and other issues. A follow up interaction between the Ministry and Buxton farmers will be held in the coming week.

The Minister deemed the meeting successful as he was able to share views and proposals and listen to the concerns of the farmers which will be studied and discussed.

Accompanying the Minister were Region Four Chairman, Clement Corlette and senior officers of the Ministry of Agriculture.