Project underway to review use of farmland @ Paraquita Bay
The project is made possible through the “Integrated Landscape Approaches and Investments in Sustainable Land Management in the OECS” project, managed by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and funded under the European Union Global Public Goods and Challenges Programme, a press release from Government Information Services on Friday, October 20, 2023, stated.
Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Mrs Tessa Smith Claxton said the purpose of the exercise is to support the orderly development of the farm plots at Paraquita Bay using sustainable farming practices that make the best use of Crown land to increase agricultural production in the Territory.
The company Innov8, has been contracted by the OECS to carry out the works and is meeting with farmers and other stakeholders from October 10 to 26, 2023.
Misuse of farmland @ Paraquita Bay
It was earlier this year that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said persons utilising land at Paraquita Bay other than for agricultural purposes will be removed.
“They have to be removed, absolutely,” Premier Wheatley stated when questioned on the issue at a press conference on January 23, 2023.
The flatland at Paraquita Bay was intended for agricultural purposes; however, persons have been building permanent structures, including homes.
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11 Responses to “Project underway to review use of farmland @ Paraquita Bay”
Have they been removed ? I don’t think so.
As usual just a lot of hot air from this man.
a. Does the BVI have a food insecurity problem?
b. Was the BVI ever self-sufficient in food production and exported excess?
c Is the BVI now self-sufficient in food production and if no, why?
d. How much food does the BVI import and export and annual $$$ value?
e. Does the imported food of high quality or is highly processed and laden with salt, sugar, fat, calories?
f. How much does agriculture contribute to the BVI GDP?
g. Has agriculture lost government priority, was it effectively manage, is it yielding maximum production to decrease the food import bill, create a multiplier effect in the economy, provide residents healthier food choices, etc.,?
h. Was the agricultural lease plots of crown land at Paraquita Bay mismanaged?
i. How does one arrive at building permanent structures on leased crown land? Was a that smart and prudent and arrogant move?
j. Was the move daring, intent to challenge government to remove them, hoping for the public sympathy to force their staying on the land?
k. Did the lessees get subtle messages and quiet assurances to proceed?
l. Does government have the stones to take action or it is thunder and lightning but no rain or all hat and no cattle?
m. How much control does the Governor have over crown land and is he positioning using his unilateral power to get more power and distribute land to persons of choice?
Most have no facts, but comment about their selfish feelings, because they are not the one who are on the land. Be constructive with the facts and knowledge about farming. It is all the way Guyana the minister went to see how farming is done in the 21 century, now we have Europeans methods of statistics to show how much farming can be done. Oh, please the place cannot produce enough to feed this nation, so let ever community develop gardens . If not, many will get sick on the imported foolish food brought to the islands.