Agricultural Lands In St. Kitts To Be Allocated
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 10, 2009 (CUOPM)
A new system will be put in place to expedite lands for agriculture development.
Prime Minister and Minister of Sustainable Development, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas informed the Federal Cabinet on Monday that the Ministry of Agriculture would be allocated large tracts of land which it will manage, and therefore obviate the need for the Ministry of Sustainable Development to become involved in land distribution for agriculture on a per farmer basis.
This Dr. Douglas explained, would expedite land allocation to farmers who have been applying for more agricultural lands.
The Prime Minister indicated that Director of Lands and Surveys, Mr. Calvin Esdaille and the Director of Agriculture, Mr. Ashton Stanley would conduct a field trip to identify large tracts of land suitable for agriculture.
The purpose of the committee is to reduce the bureaucratic lag in land distribution and to make specific decisions on a weekly basis regarding land distribution.
At the last meeting of the committee, matters related to land to be used for NHC housing were finalized.
The Land Committee meets every Friday to determine all matters related to land distribution, and consists of the following members Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture, Hon Cedric Liburd, Permanent Secretary for Sustainable Development, Mrs. Hilary hazel; Permanent Secretary for Housing and Agriculture, Dr. Hermia Morton-Anthony; Director of Lands and Surveys, Mr. Calvin Esdaille; Director of Agriculture, Mr. Ashton Stanley; Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Agriculture, Mr. Charles Williams and General Manager of the National Housing Corporation (NHC), Mr. Wayland Vaughan.