Dear Editor,
It was heart rending to listen to a video that was sent to me. A woman from Bath Settlement crying hysterically said her husband died and she did not take anyone else and depended on the land to obtain her living and asks, rather screams what is she to do now? She says the doctor says that people have to drink cow milk especially pregnant mothers. So where are they going to get the milk from.
The elderly woman says without this land many would die out. It was heart rending to listen to her. And I can empathise with her dilemma.
Farmers at Bath Settlement are facing problems with regards to the rearing of their cattle and other animals. According to farmers, the Minister of Agriculture told them he would help them by clearing the bush. However the farmers have become aware that the land is now earmarked for housing.
The President went some months ago and said he would give them some land somewhere else but they don’t know where as they have not heard from him since then. Even then the task of relocating would be an extremely difficult one. Small farmers would not be able to rear livestock that is too distant.
According to information, land belonging to GuySuCo was given to them to rear animals but was taken away for the planting of rice. Then they were given land somewhere else and later that land was taken away and placed under housing. They were then placed where they are now.
Farmers say people went to the area to survey. No meeting with the people no consultation.
Small farmers cannot go far to rear livestock. The land at the back apparently is not properly drained and livestock are dying or being stolen. This is the only backland the people have access to.
The question is aren’t these people doing an excellent job providing meat and milk to the communities? So not only livelihood is affected but service to the community and health and nutrition of the community also. One young man said he has about 85 cows and supplies milk to the community.
Yours faithfully,
Rajendra Bisessar
BSc Sociology, LLB
