Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne on Friday accused the government of mishandling farming under the guise of providing housing, describing the move as part of a broader “war on agriculture” and “crisis” that will permanently damage the nation’s food security.
He was speaking during a parliamentary debate on Friday on the vesting of 18.3 acres of State lands in Searles, Christ Church, for the development of what the government said is to be affordable housing.
He warned that the government’s land policies are permanently destroying vital agricultural resources while failing to deliver affordable housing for ordinary Barbadians.
“This government is waging war on agriculture under the guise of providing housing for poor people,” Thorne said. “When you place agricultural lands under cement, they are gone forever.”
He criticised the government’s track record on housing projects, alleging that they are designed more to enrich a select few.
“These enterprises have less to do with housing people and more to do with enfranchising others, a minority of persons who benefit financially from these projects. The average Barbadian cannot afford these houses,” he said.
Referring to the controversial HOPE housing project at Lancaster, St James, he declared: “This government spent $60 million on Lancaster, and to this day, carpenters are still being paid $3 000 a week to complete it. It is a shame and a scandal.”
Further noting a recent Central Bank report, the opposition leader painted a grim picture of the current state of agriculture, citing its minimal contribution to the economy.
“Agriculture contributes only three per cent to our GDP, yet we are required to feed 300 000 people, sometimes more. This is a crisis,” he said, further criticising the government for reallocating agricultural lands for development.
“What the government is doing today is exacerbating the crisis in agriculture by removing further lands in the amount of 18 acres to put down cement.”
Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir rejected Thorne’s assertions, defending the government’s record on agriculture and firing back with statistics to illustrate years of growth in the sector.
While acknowledging that the industry faced hurdles last year, he said: “Measures are already being put in place to address those challenges, and you will see a return to growth in the agricultural sector in the year coming.”
But Thorne’s critique did not stop with agriculture. He charged that land use decisions are tied to electoral strategy.
He further alleged that the government is placing supporters in areas traditionally weak for their party, using the Searles development as an example.
Government ministers rubbished his claims as baseless given the 30-love general election results and reiterated that the initiative is necessary to meet housing demands and address longstanding inequities caused by previous administrations.
Despite this rebuttal, Thorne stood firm in his opposition.
“We stand in opposition to this resolution on the basis that it further destroys agriculture in this country and that it is intended to give credit to the political fortunes of the government,” he said.
It will fail.” (SM)
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