Agriculture Minister: Ministry working towards informing persons about outstanding land matters in a timely manner

Agriculture Minister: Ministry working towards informing persons about outstanding land matters in a timely manner

“While persons do not expect to have their leases ready in just one (1) week, they do expect and deserve, however, to be apprised on the status of their respective land matters.” Such was the prevailing sentiment of the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat on Tuesday 5th October, 2021, as he addressed recipients during a series of Lease Letter Distribution ceremonies which took place at his Ministry’s Head office in Chaguanas. His comments were made as he outlined the value of the lease letters, which informed State land tenants / would-be tenants, in writing, that the Cabinet had in fact, granted approval for their respective leases. This form of communication, he said was not previously done and State land beneficiaries were often left frustrated as they were unaware of such approval/status even after several decades. The Minister added too that while there have been some improvements in this area by the Agriculture Ministry, further steps have been taken to address this perennial issue.

On the issue of the survey plan which is the next step for the lease letter recipients, Minister Rambharat said the costs for the survey of State Lands which the lease applicant (and not the State) now incurs was quite nominal, particularly when one considers current valuation costs associated with the acquisition of agricultural and residential properties. Each applicant now has a moral and financial obligation to meet the survey costs associated with the execution of his / her agricultural lease, as they were already highly subsidized by the taxpayer, he said.

The twenty-six (26) lease letters distributed earlier today by the Minister were in respect to agricultural, residential, institutional and homestead parcels. It will enable farmers, entrepreneurs and homeowners to engage directly with financial entities and State agencies to conduct legitimate business with respect to their State land parcels.