Over 1,640 acres of land given out for farming, PM Douglas promises more in 2012

Local produce on display (Photos by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JANUARY 19TH 2012 (CUOPM) – Over 1,640 acres of land has been distributed by the Ministry of Sustainable Development to the Ministry of Agriculture between 2006 and 2009, according to the latest figures to day.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Sustainable Development, the Rt. Hon. Dr.Denzil L. Douglas said that more lands will be made available to farmers for livestock, food crop and vegetable production.

“We will make additional lands available to commercial farmers and will foster the creation of groups or clusters of farmers to take advantage of this initiative,” said Prime Minister Douglas recently.

Dr. Douglas said his administration will also build dams in a number of areas, including Phillip’s Estridge, Mansion and Fahies, to provide water to farmers, especially those with farms at high elevations.

The Ministry of Sustainable Development indicates that nearly 1,800 acres of land has been distributed to farmers and the Department of Agriculture via the Ministry of Agriculture between 2006 and 2009.

Statistics indicate that 1,470 acres was allocated in April 2009 to the Department for agricultural expansion in the areas of Sir Gilles, Bourke’s, Godwin, West Farm, Stapleton, Cayon, Mansion, Phillips, Lodge, Estridge, Belle Vue, Profit, Parsons, Lavington and Brotherson.

In August 2009, 34.18 acres was allocated to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural expansion at Wingfield Estate; 81.52 acres of land was allocated to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural expansion at White’s Estate and 54.65 acres at Sir Gilles also for agricultural expansion.

Land for agriculture ranging from two acres to 30 acres was also allocated to farmers or farmer’s groups.

20 acres of land was allocated for White Potato crop in Mansion; 4 acres to Aaron Hodge; 5 acres to Joseph Proctor and 6 acres to Louise Brudy, all of Newton Ground.

17 acres of land was also allocated to former SSMC Workers in St. Paul’s for agriculture.

30 acres were allocated to Luther Clarke at Estridge Estate; Wilfred Walters at West Farm; three acres at Mahogany Field, Estridge to Eirate Mc Call; three acres at Mahogany Field, Estridge Estate to John Taylor; five acres at Mahogany Field, Estridge to Vernon Belle; two acres at Sugar Works, Phillips’ Estate to Melvina Morris; five acres at Sugar Works, Phillips’ Estate Stafford Phipps; two acres at Sugar Works, Phillips’ Estate to Wilfred Browne; 5acres at Wingfield Estate to John Webster.