HDC Bulldozers destroy dozens of acres of productive agricultural lands

Farmers in East Trinidad obtained an ex parte injunction Monday to restrain the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and its agents from bulldozing 100 acres of farm land at Crescent Gardens, Mausica Road, D’Abadie.

The legal action means the HDC must stop work on the land until the matter is determined in court. 

It came after the HDC's bulldozers had destroyed plots containing sweet potatoes, pineapple, bodi, cassava, peas, corn and other vegetables on lands that have been cultivated by the farmers for more than 30 years.

The state land has been vested in the in the HDC, which sent the bulldozers to clear the lands in preparation for a new housing development. 

The head of the HDC, Jearlean John, told reporters the land had been earmarked for housing and approved "years ago".

She told local media, "The HDC only follows Government policy and those lands were earmarked for housing several years ago, and we are preparing the lands now to start construction of those houses." 

Farmer are wondering which government policy John is following, saying that if the policy was determined years ago as stated then that would have been one from the previous Manning PNM administration. 

They add that the destruction of the crops violates the declared policy of the present government.

A report in the Guardian newspaper quoted Vinda Marajh, a farmer, as saying that no one gave the farmers notice of the plan to destroy the crops.

“This is a total surprise and there was no official warning or a phone call from the HDC,” Marajh told the paper, noting that he and other farmers had heard "rumours" of the HDC plan. "I am in shock," he added.

Farmers are angry and are saying that what happened Monday was a contradiction of government's policy, which is to encourage the development of agriculture.

Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath pledged recently to support farmers, saying those cultivating state lands and awaiting regularisation would be able to continue to farm so long as they had at least 30 per cent of the land planted. The lands in question were 100 per cent productive.

In addition farmers are saying the HDC action contavenes a promise by the People's Partnership to expand agricultural production and provide incentives for farmers.

They are demanding an explanation from both Bharath and Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal.