food and fuel forum

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