Dear Editor,
The Minister of Agriculture Mr Robert Persaud must ensure that rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast receive their long awaited land titles.
The government had found a disorganised situation as regards the processing of titles when they assumed office since 1992 but had worked to regularise the situation in 1998 to now.
The farmers need their land titles because without this they are denied the opportunity of so many things, including the right and liberty to access finance for their development, the right of inheritance and that the land could be left to a member of one’s family if one had title.
Surveys were often needed which caused delays, the services of lawyers were also required, many people had been occupying land for many years without any title, legislation was passed to speed up the processing of land titles yet farmers cannot get this vital document, since 2000.
It is vital for farmers to have adequate title to the land they occupy. Without that it is difficult to borrow funds for crops, in addition they lack the motivation to develop the land properly. A lease for 25 years or longer does not give the farmers the necessary security as banks have never been happy with leases. Moreover, they do not give the farmers the kind of comfort a freehold title does.
I believe that this will create an impetus for development that the farmers now lack.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
(former director C.H.&.P.A. Region #2)
