fbpx
  • Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Opinions
  • Features
  • Letters
  • Videos
  • Editorials
  • Columns
Gowtam-maharaj

Rambharat did nothing to fight praedial larceny

August 4, 2020
Kamla Persad Bissessar

IDC CONGRATULATES HON. KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR ON TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ELECTIONS VICTORY

May 4, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Pakistan has always been a puppet nation

May 3, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Never too late for Dinesh to redeem himself!

May 3, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana must seek USA Protection against Venezuela Threat

May 2, 2025
Albert Baldeo

ADRIANNA YOUNGE’S DEATH MANDATES COMPETENT INVESTIGATION & PROSECUTION

May 2, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Condemn Violent Protests in Guyana & Ethnic Attacks: President Ali Praised for agreeing to family’s demands

May 2, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

In Support of Guyana President in Condemning India Terror Attack

May 2, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Brief Profile of Dr. Vishnu Bisram of Guyana

May 2, 2025
UNC Sweeps to Power in Trinidad and Tobago Elections

UNC Sweeps to Power in Trinidad and Tobago Elections

May 1, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Not all rights are expressly stated in a constitution

April 27, 2025
INDO-CARIBBEAN FEDERATION TRIBUTE TO AUNTY EVELYN MORGAN.

INDO-CARIBBEAN FEDERATION TRIBUTE TO AUNTY EVELYN MORGAN.

April 27, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Up for grabs as Nine Marginal seats to decide Government in Trinidad & Tobago

April 27, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition
Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Login
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
  • Home
  • Columns
    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    IDC CONGRATULATES HON. KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR ON TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ELECTIONS VICTORY

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Guyana must seek USA Protection against Venezuela Threat

    Albert Baldeo

    ADRIANNA YOUNGE’S DEATH MANDATES COMPETENT INVESTIGATION & PROSECUTION

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Condemn Violent Protests in Guyana & Ethnic Attacks: President Ali Praised for agreeing to family’s demands

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    In Support of Guyana President in Condemning India Terror Attack

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Brief Profile of Dr. Vishnu Bisram of Guyana

    UNC Sweeps to Power in Trinidad and Tobago Elections

    UNC Sweeps to Power in Trinidad and Tobago Elections

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Not all rights are expressly stated in a constitution

    INDO-CARIBBEAN FEDERATION TRIBUTE TO AUNTY EVELYN MORGAN.

    INDO-CARIBBEAN FEDERATION TRIBUTE TO AUNTY EVELYN MORGAN.

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Up for grabs as Nine Marginal seats to decide Government in Trinidad & Tobago

  • Letters
    Guyana Rohee’s mocking of Illegal Guyanese & Green Card Holders in America

    Guyana Rohee’s mocking of Illegal Guyanese & Green Card Holders in America

    Charles Sugrim

    Authenticating Dr Bisram’s Poll in Guyana

    Gary Griffith

    United We Stand, Divided We Fall

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Democrats More Dangerous to Dragon Gas than Republicans

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Who Really Lost in the Junior Sammy Matter in Trinidad?

    Jai Lall

    A challenge to become the rainbow in Leonora’s cloud

    Rabindra-Moonan

    The opposition UNC led by Kamla Persad Bissessar has gone into meltdown mode.

    Jai Lall

    Residents of Leonora, Guyana are ashamed and embarrassed

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Trinidad & Tobago REPUBLIC DAY MESSAGE 2024 OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Crime has reached a high level in Trinidad and Tobago

  • Community News
    Indian-Caribbeans Observe Hanuman Birth Anniversary

    Indian-Caribbeans Observe Hanuman Birth Anniversary

    Ram Navami 2023 Observed

    Indo Caribbean Americans Observed 2025 Ram Naumi or Navami

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Gowtam Maharaj: “Phagwa is much more than gulal and abeer; it is building family love and strong communities.”

    Queens Boro President hosts 2025 Holi (Phagwah) Celebration

    Queens Boro President hosts 2025 Holi (Phagwah) Celebration

    Indian-Caribbean Americans in 2025 Phagwah (Holi) Spirit

    Indian-Caribbean Americans in 2025 Phagwah (Holi) Spirit

    Indo-Caribbeans Spellbound by the Maha Kumbh in India

    Indo-Caribbeans Spellbound by the Maha Kumbh in India

    Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers Observe Shivratri

    Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers Observe Shivratri

    Caribbean Airlines

    Caribbean Airlines Supports ECO Canada’s Day 2 Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference February 17-19, 2025 | Hanover, Jamaica

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Amarjyoth Sabha launches music class for youths

    Swami Sarvalokananda of Delhi

    Swami Sarvalokananda of Delhi, India visited Trinidad and Guyana

  • Editorials
    cliff-rajkumar

    VANISHING FOOTPRINTS

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Trinidad and Tobago OPPOSITION LEADER addresses TOWN HALL MEETING ON EDUCATION IN SAN FERNANDO WEST

    Jai Lall

    Guyana Leonora’s villagers are inseparable

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Indo-Caribbean to speak on India’s Soft Power in Delhi

    Jai Lall

    Empty vessels make the most noise – politics in Guyana

    Ashook-Ramsaran

    In Commemoration of the 23rd Anniversary

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Hope for UNC of Trinidad?

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Is there No Other Musical Instrument Indigenous to T&T?

    Guyana-map

    October 2024 Hindu Conference bring back memories of Humiliation of Indians in Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Is Kamala Harris the “Trump” card for the Democrats?

  • Opinions
    Dool Hanomansingh

    Pakistan has always been a puppet nation

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Never too late for Dinesh to redeem himself!

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Bhadase and Sat were successful in so many ways

    Dool Hanomansingh

    The UNC is a Bullet Train Today

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why is the EU Grant for Ex-Cane Farmers Not Paid?

    Dool Hanomansingh

    PNM hates Poor Black People

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why whites are fleeing South Africa?

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Crime and the Hindu Community

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Guyana January 2025 poll puts PPP in lead against a struggling opposition with opportunity for new parties

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Citizens must dictate how their tax dollars are spent

  • Videos
    Dool-Hanomansingh-003

    US Congress woman Tulsi Gabbard condemns the ongoing genocide of Hindus and other minorities

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the  Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the social significance of Ganga Dhara Festival.

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the Hindu view of the environment.

    swami-brahmadeo

    Swami Brahmadeo – Hindus are top CEOs and Medics in North America and Europe

    Gowtam-Maharaj

    Gowtam Maharaj, a farmer of Barrackpore, South Trinidad, shares his challenges being a farmer.

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    NATIONAL-LOTUS-THEATRE

    NATIONAL LOTUS THEATRE – Performance of Niyantran

    radica-jairam

    Story of RADICA JAIRAM from Orange Valley

    fisherman-trinidad

    Families of Orange Valley felt neglected by PNM Government

    Dr Subramanian Swamy

    Dr Subramanian Swamy – Dharma Rising London April 2015

  • Features
    ravi-ratiram

    Trinidad MP Ravi Ratiram Condemns Government’s Failures Amidst Rising Crime in Central Trinidad and Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Citizens

    Pandit Ramdular Singh

    Pandit Ramdular Singh on Guyana’s Dharmic Sabha

    Vassan Ramracha

    PNM bent on Africanizing Trinidad

    Baldeo_Chanderpaul-3

    West Indian cricketers must strive to emulate Shiv Chanderpaul of Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Who in Guyana will ever buy the PNC/AFC/APNU “honesty, integrity and decency” pitch again?

    cliff-rajkumar

    Non Indians Embracing Sanathan Dharma

    Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh

    INDARSINGH ON RELOCATION OF PRINCES TOWN FIRE OFFICERS

    Vassan Ramracha

    TRIBAL AFRICANS DO NOT CONDONE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES

    Jai Lall

    Guyana President Ali and Cabinet Ministers Engaged West Coast Supporters

    Dr Jerry Jailall

    PPP Government responds quickly to changing “Negro” on Government forms, will they also add “Indian” to Arrival Day?

No Result
View All Result
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
No Result
View All Result

Rambharat did nothing to fight praedial larceny

by Gowtam Maharaj
August 4, 2020
in Uncategorized
0
Gowtam-maharaj

Photo : Gowtam Maharaj, registered farmer of Barrackpore

461
SHARES
5.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A Newsday article (July 29th 2020) disclosed Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat’s announcement that the Agricultural sector will receive 500 million dollars in the first year of government, if the Peoples National Movement (PNM) is re-elected for the next five years. On July 31st a media release was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Corporate Communications Unit titled Correction to Article – “500m for Agriculture next Budget says Rambharat” stating it is 500 million for “Capital Expenditure for projects identified in the First Phase Report of the Road Map Committee”.  Giving the benefit to the Minister that in the House of Angostura, time didn’t permit to get very wordy with clarity, the fact remains there has been a constant reduction in budget allocation to the Agriculture sector since the near 2 billion- dollar allocation by the United National Congress (UNC) during its tenure in government.

Meagre allocations will eclipse critical areas for sustainability in agriculture such as Praedial Larceny protection. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago would have expected a healthy focus on local food production during this current period of depressed crude oil prices, a closed refinery and emerging global food protectionism by countries due to Covid-19.

In July 2011, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) declared Praedial Larceny as the “single most discouraging aspect of agriculture and has become a disincentive to investment”. Conservative estimates are that 18% of the value of farm output regionally is taken by thieves, resulting in the loss of millions of United States dollars annually. This does not account for future loss to agriculture production and productivity when farmers leave the sector or when high quality genetic breeds of livestock and crop varieties are stolen from breeding stations and agriculture research facilities.

Jamaica’s Praedial Larceny protection measures are now bearing fruits, experiencing a 50% reduction in theft. One strategy utilized was the creation of a partnership which comprises of an administrative arm under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) and an enforcement arm led by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). In Grenada, a similar collaborative arrangement exists where the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has responsibility for a Praedial Larceny 300 hotline which has equal priority as the national emergency 911 hotline. The wind of collaboration is blowing in the opposite direction in Trinidad and Tobago as the south Praedial Larceny unit has been shut down and the entire south/central region is serviced by a low strength central based unit. The Ministry of Agriculture’s Praedial Larceny unit receives the reports of theft from the Ministry of National Security’s local police stations. The absence of an overarching policy to govern the collaborative operations of the Praedial Larceny unit, Trinidad and Tobago Police and the Municipal police reveals physical and industrial relations stress issues. The convoluted and lengthy process is a deterrent to reporting by farmers. A Barrackpore corn farmer, who came upon a person in the act of stealing corns, was advised that it is only categorized as praedial larceny if the thief is found leaving the garden with the corns. The farmer heeded the advice and removed his wheel tractor from blocking the thief’s van. The thief left unobstructed and the farmer was forced to accept his losses in addition to being treated as the perpetrator during the process of making the official report. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported out of a survey done in the Caribbean region that only 45% reporting of theft is done by farmers due to frustration of inaction by the authorities. In Grenada, where farmers were similarly reluctant in making reports, now have heightened confidence in reporting since investigations and court hearings are being completed within days.

The Trinidad and Tobago the Praedial Larceny Act stands as a withered document blighted by weak enforcement, low compliance, lengthy judicial processes, and bereft of key tenets gleaned from learning’s of recent successful regional experiences. The Praedial Larceny Act requires immediate review, amendment and subsequent enforcement in areas such as seller’s registration, proof of ownership and quantity limits for praedial larceny qualification. The process of traceability and elements for its operationalization need to be rooted within the Act. Jamaica’s Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, in his 2017/18 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives shared that to achieve high traceability; “strengthening the legislative and policy framework” is mandatory. Crop insurance needs to be quick started and recovery-type subsidies need to move beyond mere flood damage with specific consideration of mechanical equipment and tools.

Investment is required in mass sensitization as the consumer public is a potential loser when vegetables and meat which are not ready for human consumption reaches the market. There have been reported cases of illness and death due to purchase of stolen agricultural products. The buying public has the last and most important call but they need to be made aware of their power of choice and discernment through Agricultural Extension services communication thrusts. Prevention of Praedial larceny must begin with Governments’ buy-in of its importance to national economic prosperity, international trade growth and citizen’s health and safety. This will compel the convening of the Security, Agricultural, Judicial, Legislative and Farming stakeholders to plant a seed of collaboration against the “plague”. 

Facebook Comments Box
Tags: Clarence Rambharatfight praedial larcenyGowtam MaharajMinister of AgriculturePNM
Share184Tweet115Share46
ADVERTISEMENT
Gowtam Maharaj

Gowtam Maharaj

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Dool Hanomansingh

Never too late for Dinesh to redeem himself!

May 3, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Pakistan has always been a puppet nation

May 3, 2025
High Commission of India in Guyana extends Indian Arrival Greetings

High Commission of India in Guyana extends Indian Arrival Greetings

May 5, 2023
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

In Support of Guyana President in Condemning India Terror Attack

May 2, 2025
Kamla Persad Bissessar

IDC CONGRATULATES HON. KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR ON TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ELECTIONS VICTORY

May 4, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Pakistan has always been a puppet nation

May 3, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Never too late for Dinesh to redeem himself!

May 3, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana must seek USA Protection against Venezuela Threat

May 2, 2025

The most important world news and events of the day.

Get ICDN daily newsletter on your inbox.

ADVERTISEMENT
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News

© 2024 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Columns
  • Letters
  • Community News
  • Opinions
  • Videos
  • Features
  • Editorials

© 2024 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In