FOOD SOVEREIGNTY ABOVE ALL
The National Foodcrop Farmers Association (NFFA) and its partner organisations in agriculture are extremely disappointed with the Patrick Manning Government’s past performance and deficiencies in their future plans for the agricultural sector particularly, the small farming sector.
The failures of the Patrick Manning Government and his Ministry of Agriculture are multitudinous. For decades, the farming community has been attempting to have input into policy formation and implementation with respect to development in agriculture. Successive PNM Governments have failed farmers miserably. Sadly, there is no love for us who labour on the land.
Agriculture is a critical sector in national development. Food and water are necessary for human survival and development. Farmers feed the nation and, like everyone else need to earn a living. Instead, small farmers have not been encouraged and embraced as key stakeholders by the govt.
We note that the PM announced his intention to reduce the ability of the EMA to protect the rights of citizens to participate in national development issues if they would stop his mega plans. We support the statement of the Fishermen and Friends Of the Sea (FFOS) decrying the backward thinking of Patrick Manning. We also note that he intends to ‘revisit’ and ‘review’ the integrity commission regulations. These two acts are dangerous and will erode our democratic rights. The NFFA and other concerned citizens will resist any such move.
By planning a rapid rail through fertile, working farms and pushing the establishment of hazardous industrial estates, more farmland will be lost. Water courses will be destroyed. People cannot eat concrete. The policy of mega farm flies in the face of all international research studies that have shown small farmers are more productive, more efficient, and contribute more to economic development than large farms and are a critical part of national development. Small farmers are better custodians of natural resources- conserving biodiversity and engaging in sustainable production.
The government’s position has been one to eradicate small farmers through their policies, while pumping millions into large commercial and mega farms which have benefitted only a few corporations and are yet to tangibly benefit the national population.
The PNM government is in fact seeking to destroy agricultural land, coastal fisheries, communities and farming livelihoods by supporting and touting mega farms as the saviour for food security.
On the eve of this election, we remind all citizens of some of their rights:
1. The Right of all peoples to food sovereignty;
2. The Right of local populations to manage and control local resources;
3. The Need to move towards sustainable, agro-ecological methods of food production;
4. The Need to give primacy to food security and food sovereignty principles when considering National Development.
Help us to ensure food and water sovereignty for citizens. Any government that threatens and gambles with its nation’s food and water security must be removed from office. Norris Deonarine Education and Research Officer, National Foodcrop Farmers Association. Tel: 7741276
Friday, May 21, 2010
NFFA URGES WASA TO WORK WITH FARMERS
Farmers are the salt of the earth, it is said. They are hard working and stoic in the face of the vagaries of Man and Nature. For decades, their efforts, together with those of many experts such as the late Prof. George Moonsammy, trade unionists, and activists, to lobby the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) to pay attention to agriculture, have been largely unsuccessful.
Global agencies, NGOs, technical experts and Farmers’ Associations, among others, have been sounding the warning about food security and the impending water crisis. The voice of the NFFA is among those. NFFA calls on the management of WASA, the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Utilities, to treat these matters as development priorities, given the impacts on all citizens, not only farmers.
Indeed, farmers are fully aware that some climate impacts are not within the direct control of the GORTT, but, since we have been speaking out about changing weather patterns, shouldn’t the GORTT be even more informed and prepared, given their resources? Many international agencies consider water to be the new oil. Many global conflicts on contiguous lands have been caused by the questions about water rights. Water is now big (over $200BUS) business for multinationals such as Coke, Nestlé, Pepsi, Bouygues/SAUR, Vivendi, Suez, among others. The NFFA is keeping watch on these companies.
We realise that the GORTT, especially the Prime Minister, and the Board and Management of WASA are not connecting the dots in terms of water, farming and food security for citizens. They have not been listening to the NFFA’s and other calls for a proper water management system, to be developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including farmers.
If WASA had sought input from farmers for its short-term water crisis management plan, there would not have been that ridiculous directive from its management to charge farmers for water taken from rivers, downstream of their treatment plants and reservoirs. For example, farmers use water from the North Oropouche, Caroni, Cunupia and Tacarigua and other rivers just before they flow into the sea. This has no impact on WASA’s supply.
It is indeed a shameful situation when the relevant Ministries of Public Utilities, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, and WASA act in the interest of food security only upon advocacy by the leadership of the NFFA and other farmers’ groups.
The failure to use foresight in the planning process by WASA and the PNM Government has resulted in this current water and therefore looming food security crisis. This failure and the general neglect of agriculture meant that enough small dams, reservoirs, retention ponds, irrigation facilities have not been established. In addition, there are other activities which support water conservation.
Some of these include the protection of and an end to quarrying in water catchment areas, the increased use of semi-potable water for industry, and an ongoing public education programme. A change to an efficient management system at WASA is also a critical priority. For a few years, we were inundated with heavy rains which resulted in widespread flooding.
What is WASA’s plan for stormwater capture and rainfall harvesting? Given all this, how can this uncaring government talk about a food production and security plan under Vision 20/20, when they have no vision? This is an incredibly failing PNM Government which cannot get even the basics right.
The NFFA calls on WASA and the Government to find some other mechanism, through discussion with farmers, to ensure and monitor access to water by this community. Farmers work from before dawn to late evening managing their crops and animals and have no time to go to offices to apply for a licence. Farmers stand united on this issue.
DERAIL THE RAPID RAIL
On Wednesday March 3, the National Food Crop Farmers Association (NFFA), in collaboration with the Cunupia Farmers Association (CFA) and the Citizens for Social Justice (CSJ), organized a well-attended meeting at the Tunapuna Hindu School, Pasea, to discuss the issues relating to the proposed rapid rail.
In a news release the NFFA said: “The areas affected will be Barataria South, Aranguez South, Bamboo Settlement, Valsayn, Spring Village, St. Augustine South, Pasea-Macoya South. their support for agriculture development and the farming community.
The NFFA, CFA, and CSJ and other concerned citizens, are adamant that the rapid rail must be derailed. That the Government is pushing ahead with its plans, at this time, is incomprehensible. But, we should not be surprised by the actions of this uncaring government. We call on the Patrick Manning PNM Government to understand that food, water; healthcare, jobs, education, and crime reduction and security are among the priorities of citizens. Not a rapid rail. Not now.”
The farmers’ organisation called on Government to help farmer communities establish small dams and reservoirs to meet immediate needs for water. It called for collaboration with Ministries and other state agencies to ensure agricultural production and prices remain at stable levels. If, further, called for the protection of water catchment areas and reinstitution of the requirement for a CEC from the EMA for all quarrying.
The NFFA commented on the recent resignation of Mr. Calder Hart and the revelation about the quantum of funds spent on an inquiry to investigate the operations of UDECOTT.
Those funds, said NFFA, "together with the unknown millions squandered on useless projects would have been better spent on enhancing the quality of life for citizens. And, we are not even going to mention possible loss of funds to the Treasury and opportunity costs by inappropriate acts on the part of agents of this PNM Government. It is against this background and all the other failures we have not mentioned, that we citizens feel that the government is waging war on us.
We are being persecuted. The proposal to build a rapid rail is a frontal act of war on citizens who are suffering daily because of the mismanagement of our resources by an uncaring PNM Government."
The NFFA concluded: “It is not that we do not understand that land acquisitions must take place from time to time, but they must be done in good faith. Citizens must see the common good that will be served and their loss minimized. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister, especially, and the PNM Government cannot draw on a history of … acts of good faith on behalf of citizens and farmers.
When our livelihoods are threatened, we need a political solution. The rapid rail must be derailed. The people’s priorities must rule, in the East, West, North, South and, in Central. The people’s priorities will prevail.”
NFFA CALLS FOR NATIONAL WATER POLICY
The NFFA membership understands, well, the importance of water to its livelihood, food security, and, life, for all citizens. The impact of climate change and inefficient or lack of proper water policies have serious consequences for all peoples, globally. Recently, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas, revealed that water security was discussed by the Heads of Government. “Water is needed for industry… agriculture… basic health and survival… for everything.”
It is a pity Prime Minister Manning missed that opportunity for enlightenment. PM Douglas said it is anticipated that global warming will issue in periods of longer droughts, followed by periods of excessive and unrelenting rains. Not only do we have an obligation to get global warming under control, then… but we must, in anticipation of the challenges that lie ahead globally, begin to see water with fresh, informed, and visionary eyes. It is a resource with which we are abundantly blessed – and we must marshall and manage it very carefully,” said Douglas. The NFFA fully endorses these proposals.
For years, the NFFA has been pleading with the PNM Government to create a more enabling environment for farmers by investing in infrastructure and irrigation facilities. The recent directives from WASA regarding farmers’ use of river water showed clearly that there is limited understanding of the interconnectivity between food security and a healthy life, and access to water. NFFA members belong to communities and we are concerned about access to water for all citizens, particularly women, who have been protesting about the lack of access to water, for years. The Government and WASA have failed us, spectacularly.
With water being highlighted across the globe this week, the NFFA takes this opportunity to remind the Prime Minister to see water for its critical importance to life. We urge him to think small in project terms – small community dams, wells, protection of water catchment areas with no quarrying allowed in those fragile ecosystems, are among numerous examples. We urge policy makers to encourage, through incentives, the capture of rain and flood waters.
All new government and private housing developments should ensure the harvesting of rainwater and its use for non-consumption activities – watering lawns, home gardens, washing cars etc. The use of ultraviolet light for purification at community water sources should be considered as one group is already demonstrating its feasibility. There are small scale, adaptable technologies aimed at alleviating water shortages, in practice, globally. Do not continue to allow citizens to suffer while you fiddle with our funds for long term, high cost mega-projects.
The NFFA is also very concerned about the proposals to establish eight desalination plants at a cost of over $1Billion. Given our adequate rainfall volume as determined by official sources, we urge the Government to conduct proper, in-depth feasibility, cost-benefit analyses and consideration of alternative measures for water harvesting and conservation before pushing these proposals through.
We have yet to hear about the plans for the treatment/capture of the waste products such as greenhouse gases, and, mitigation measures to reduce damage to the immediate ecosystems by brine waste water. Unless well managed, there can be major damage to the environment incurring high recovery costs to the public.
We remind the Government and WASA that we are aware of the push by multinationals (MNCs) such as Coke, Pepsi, Nestle, Vivendi, Suez, among others, with total support from the World Bank and aid agencies, to blackmail countries into adopting a policy of privatizing water.
NFFA will not stand by idly and allow the failures of not having a proper water resource management plan invite the invasion of those who are driven by a purely profit motive. Hard lessons are being learnt by global communities whose water resources are being depleted by these water MNCs. Usual apologies by the World Bank, and others, will not compensate for the suffering of people from the adoption of mal-development policies.
The NFFA intends to monitor water activities closely and will be setting up a Water Watchers blog and keep citizens informed of water issues and progress by the Government and WASA to alleviate the suffering of citizens.
The NFFA calls for a national water policy that recognizes water as a human right in domestic law, declares surface and groundwater a public trust, and supports the recognition of water as a human right in international law.
Contacts: Norris Deonarine 774-1276 Glen Ramjag 355-0208
Farmers are the salt of the earth, it is said. They are hard working and stoic in the face of the vagaries of Man and Nature. For decades, their efforts, together with those of many experts such as the late Prof. George Moonsammy, trade unionists, and activists, to lobby the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) to pay attention to agriculture, have been largely unsuccessful.
Global agencies, NGOs, technical experts and Farmers’ Associations, among others, have been sounding the warning about food security and the impending water crisis. The voice of the NFFA is among those. NFFA calls on the management of WASA, the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Utilities, to treat these matters as development priorities, given the impacts on all citizens, not only farmers.
Indeed, farmers are fully aware that some climate impacts are not within the direct control of the GORTT, but, since we have been speaking out about changing weather patterns, shouldn’t the GORTT be even more informed and prepared, given their resources? Many international agencies consider water to be the new oil. Many global conflicts on contiguous lands have been caused by the questions about water rights. Water is now big (over $200BUS) business for multinationals such as Coke, Nestlé, Pepsi, Bouygues/SAUR, Vivendi, Suez, among others. The NFFA is keeping watch on these companies.
We realise that the GORTT, especially the Prime Minister, and the Board and Management of WASA are not connecting the dots in terms of water, farming and food security for citizens. They have not been listening to the NFFA’s and other calls for a proper water management system, to be developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including farmers.
If WASA had sought input from farmers for its short-term water crisis management plan, there would not have been that ridiculous directive from its management to charge farmers for water taken from rivers, downstream of their treatment plants and reservoirs. For example, farmers use water from the North Oropouche, Caroni, Cunupia and Tacarigua and other rivers just before they flow into the sea. This has no impact on WASA’s supply.
It is indeed a shameful situation when the relevant Ministries of Public Utilities, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, and WASA act in the interest of food security only upon advocacy by the leadership of the NFFA and other farmers’ groups.
The failure to use foresight in the planning process by WASA and the PNM Government has resulted in this current water and therefore looming food security crisis. This failure and the general neglect of agriculture meant that enough small dams, reservoirs, retention ponds, irrigation facilities have not been established. In addition, there are other activities which support water conservation.
Some of these include the protection of and an end to quarrying in water catchment areas, the increased use of semi-potable water for industry, and an ongoing public education programme. A change to an efficient management system at WASA is also a critical priority. For a few years, we were inundated with heavy rains which resulted in widespread flooding.
What is WASA’s plan for stormwater capture and rainfall harvesting? Given all this, how can this uncaring government talk about a food production and security plan under Vision 20/20, when they have no vision? This is an incredibly failing PNM Government which cannot get even the basics right.
The NFFA calls on WASA and the Government to find some other mechanism, through discussion with farmers, to ensure and monitor access to water by this community. Farmers work from before dawn to late evening managing their crops and animals and have no time to go to offices to apply for a licence. Farmers stand united on this issue.
DERAIL THE RAPID RAIL
On Wednesday March 3, the National Food Crop Farmers Association (NFFA), in collaboration with the Cunupia Farmers Association (CFA) and the Citizens for Social Justice (CSJ), organized a well-attended meeting at the Tunapuna Hindu School, Pasea, to discuss the issues relating to the proposed rapid rail.
In a news release the NFFA said: “The areas affected will be Barataria South, Aranguez South, Bamboo Settlement, Valsayn, Spring Village, St. Augustine South, Pasea-Macoya South. their support for agriculture development and the farming community.
The NFFA, CFA, and CSJ and other concerned citizens, are adamant that the rapid rail must be derailed. That the Government is pushing ahead with its plans, at this time, is incomprehensible. But, we should not be surprised by the actions of this uncaring government. We call on the Patrick Manning PNM Government to understand that food, water; healthcare, jobs, education, and crime reduction and security are among the priorities of citizens. Not a rapid rail. Not now.”
The farmers’ organisation called on Government to help farmer communities establish small dams and reservoirs to meet immediate needs for water. It called for collaboration with Ministries and other state agencies to ensure agricultural production and prices remain at stable levels. If, further, called for the protection of water catchment areas and reinstitution of the requirement for a CEC from the EMA for all quarrying.
The NFFA commented on the recent resignation of Mr. Calder Hart and the revelation about the quantum of funds spent on an inquiry to investigate the operations of UDECOTT.
Those funds, said NFFA, "together with the unknown millions squandered on useless projects would have been better spent on enhancing the quality of life for citizens. And, we are not even going to mention possible loss of funds to the Treasury and opportunity costs by inappropriate acts on the part of agents of this PNM Government. It is against this background and all the other failures we have not mentioned, that we citizens feel that the government is waging war on us.
We are being persecuted. The proposal to build a rapid rail is a frontal act of war on citizens who are suffering daily because of the mismanagement of our resources by an uncaring PNM Government."
The NFFA concluded: “It is not that we do not understand that land acquisitions must take place from time to time, but they must be done in good faith. Citizens must see the common good that will be served and their loss minimized. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister, especially, and the PNM Government cannot draw on a history of … acts of good faith on behalf of citizens and farmers.
When our livelihoods are threatened, we need a political solution. The rapid rail must be derailed. The people’s priorities must rule, in the East, West, North, South and, in Central. The people’s priorities will prevail.”
NFFA CALLS FOR NATIONAL WATER POLICY
The NFFA membership understands, well, the importance of water to its livelihood, food security, and, life, for all citizens. The impact of climate change and inefficient or lack of proper water policies have serious consequences for all peoples, globally. Recently, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas, revealed that water security was discussed by the Heads of Government. “Water is needed for industry… agriculture… basic health and survival… for everything.”
It is a pity Prime Minister Manning missed that opportunity for enlightenment. PM Douglas said it is anticipated that global warming will issue in periods of longer droughts, followed by periods of excessive and unrelenting rains. Not only do we have an obligation to get global warming under control, then… but we must, in anticipation of the challenges that lie ahead globally, begin to see water with fresh, informed, and visionary eyes. It is a resource with which we are abundantly blessed – and we must marshall and manage it very carefully,” said Douglas. The NFFA fully endorses these proposals.
For years, the NFFA has been pleading with the PNM Government to create a more enabling environment for farmers by investing in infrastructure and irrigation facilities. The recent directives from WASA regarding farmers’ use of river water showed clearly that there is limited understanding of the interconnectivity between food security and a healthy life, and access to water. NFFA members belong to communities and we are concerned about access to water for all citizens, particularly women, who have been protesting about the lack of access to water, for years. The Government and WASA have failed us, spectacularly.
With water being highlighted across the globe this week, the NFFA takes this opportunity to remind the Prime Minister to see water for its critical importance to life. We urge him to think small in project terms – small community dams, wells, protection of water catchment areas with no quarrying allowed in those fragile ecosystems, are among numerous examples. We urge policy makers to encourage, through incentives, the capture of rain and flood waters.
All new government and private housing developments should ensure the harvesting of rainwater and its use for non-consumption activities – watering lawns, home gardens, washing cars etc. The use of ultraviolet light for purification at community water sources should be considered as one group is already demonstrating its feasibility. There are small scale, adaptable technologies aimed at alleviating water shortages, in practice, globally. Do not continue to allow citizens to suffer while you fiddle with our funds for long term, high cost mega-projects.
The NFFA is also very concerned about the proposals to establish eight desalination plants at a cost of over $1Billion. Given our adequate rainfall volume as determined by official sources, we urge the Government to conduct proper, in-depth feasibility, cost-benefit analyses and consideration of alternative measures for water harvesting and conservation before pushing these proposals through.
We have yet to hear about the plans for the treatment/capture of the waste products such as greenhouse gases, and, mitigation measures to reduce damage to the immediate ecosystems by brine waste water. Unless well managed, there can be major damage to the environment incurring high recovery costs to the public.
We remind the Government and WASA that we are aware of the push by multinationals (MNCs) such as Coke, Pepsi, Nestle, Vivendi, Suez, among others, with total support from the World Bank and aid agencies, to blackmail countries into adopting a policy of privatizing water.
NFFA will not stand by idly and allow the failures of not having a proper water resource management plan invite the invasion of those who are driven by a purely profit motive. Hard lessons are being learnt by global communities whose water resources are being depleted by these water MNCs. Usual apologies by the World Bank, and others, will not compensate for the suffering of people from the adoption of mal-development policies.
The NFFA intends to monitor water activities closely and will be setting up a Water Watchers blog and keep citizens informed of water issues and progress by the Government and WASA to alleviate the suffering of citizens.
The NFFA calls for a national water policy that recognizes water as a human right in domestic law, declares surface and groundwater a public trust, and supports the recognition of water as a human right in international law.
Contacts: Norris Deonarine 774-1276 Glen Ramjag 355-0208
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