Dear Editor,
On February 22, 1967, the Bookers/Wales Estate, Cane Farmers’ Pilot Scheme(1956-1967) was transformed and renamed the Belle Vue Cane Farmers’ Marketing Co-op Society’, Registered # 967 and this Co-op Society was presented with their first rules and a copy of the Guyana Co-op Society Act, which the co-op are using to this day.
This Belle Vue Cane Farmers’ Pilot Scheme has been planned and set up by Bookers Sugar Estates in 1955 and was fully established in 1956. 57 Belle Vue Cane Farmers came in two to three batches and occupied one two bedroom concrete house and these plots of cane land, contracted for 20 years at the time from Wales Estate owned by Bookers Sugar Corporation, Guyana.
These farmers were mainly sugar workers from East and West Demerara Sugar Estates, who now become Cane-Farmers. This cane farmers pilot project was administered by Wales Estate and managed by Mr Peter Kent (a/k Peter King), to help improve some sugar workers economic condition and also to neutralize the militant sugar workers union and Dr. Jagan PAC/PPP agitation for political and economic reform in Guyana and the sugar industry. Based on information, the sugar workers, who now became cane farmers were pressured to sign this 20 year contract with very stringent clauses inside with no legal advice from the cane farmers. My grandfather Mr John Ragaloo Ramsammy and my uncle Mr Roopnarine Ramsammy(a/k Zaroo) told me years ago that in the first contract there is a clause that the farmers and their immediate family cannot belong to any political party, open shop on their premises, plant and grow trees higher than the house and whenever any relative(s) visit them and want to stay overnight, the farmer had to inform the management at Wales Estate about it. After about 3 to 5 years two farmers, Mr. Edlygan and Mr. Samaroo, gave up and quit this project. My grandfather John and many other farmers, like Sukhu, Ramkissoon, Roopnarine, Arthur Yonge and others organised house meetings at Ramkissoon(a/k Brother Kissoon) Sukhu(a/k Ironman) house and invited the late Dr. Jagan, Mrs. Janet Jagan and other leaders of the PAC/PPP to help them reform their contract and allow them to openly join a political party and to form a cane farmers association, such as the Guyana Cane Farmers Association(GCFA).
The individual contract was changed to a collective lease given in the name of the BCFMCS as the Lessee. The BVCFMCS committee of management signed the lease for the Co-op for 825 acres. Then each of the remaining 55 cane farmers got 15 acres each, divided into 10 to 11 plots in different fields, to grow sugar cane and sell it to Wales Estate, through the BVCFMCS. This was a beacon for the Cane Farmers Marketing Co-op Society until in the mid 70s & 80s when the country was in economic retrogression and the introduction of the sugar levy affected and reduced the farmers’ income.
During this difficult time, a few cavalier managers at Wales Estate and Guysuco unilaterally annexed over 200 acres of the cane land from the cane farmers and the BCFMCS. Some of these managers reduced and withdrew the estate paid supervisory advice, timely service and support to the BCMCS. Then later Guysuco & Wales Estate management gave BVCFMCS a reduced lease contract of only 5 years. This 5 year lease has expired and was never renewed for over 10 years. It is ironic and appears discriminatory that while Wales Estate management are systematically reducing their support, service and acreage to the Belle Vue Cane Farmers Co-op Society, at the same time Guysuco directors, based on information by Guysuco and Booker Tate consultants have donated and sold over 1500 acres of sugar cane land to other agencies and private individuals. This is ridiculous, because the Belle Vue Cane Farmers and their families need this land and will continue to plant canes on this land and sell it to Wales Estate and Guysuco.
The Belle Vue cane farmers Pilot Scheme have been leasing and growing sugar cane on this land for over 50 years (1955-2007) and are entitled to have collective ownership for this land now. They were promised title for the entire 825 acres by the late President Burnham, President Jagan and President Hoyte and are now calling on our young and vibrant leader, Hon. President Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture Hon Robert Persaud to assist the BVCFMCS to get this collective land title now. This collective title will empower this Co-op Society to easily gain access to loans and grants to increase production, income and economic conditions for all members /farmers, their family and seasonal workers.
This land title will be a great 40th anniversary gift for the farmers to celebrate.
The government and Guysuco can learn a lot from the concept and principle that Bookers Estate used to set up the Belle Vue Cane Farmers’ Pilot Scheme and then make more sugar workers into cane farmers.
As a former sugar worker and cane farmers representative, (GAWU & GCFA), I hope my humble suggestion will gain the attention of the present administration to consider and give the land title as soon as possible. The co-op rep can be contacted at Mohammed Inshan Tel; 267-2333 or Seenarine Ramsammy, Tel # 263-7171.
Yours faithfully,
B Balkarran