Ministry of Agriculture arranges meeting between Police and farmers to address ongoing problem of praedial larceny

After years of complaints by farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture – through the Agricultural Extension Division – says it will seriously address the issue of praedial larceny and assist farmers in dealing with the problem.

“Praedial larceny is one of the … most discouraging aspects of agriculture,” the Division says, acknowledging that it has become “a disincentive to investment in the sector and a threat to livelihoods in farming.”

Therefore, officials have arranged a meeting between the Police Commissioner and the farmers to address the issue.

The meeting will take place next Wednesday, April 13, at the Multi-Purpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre and run from 4 to 6 p.m.

Over the years, scores of farmers have lost crops and animals to thieves.  In some cases crops are destroyed and animals are slaughtered, and farmers are forced to spend thousands of dollars to replant or to replace damaged items, including fencing and irrigation systems.

They have routinely complained that reports made to the Police are practically ignored.