Paramakatoi residents warned about ‘ganja’ farms

Sep 08, 2008 News

…burn fields and plant legal crops – Agri. Minister

The socially and physically negative impacts of drug use were explained to residents of Paramakatoi Village, Region Eight, by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud when he visited that community last Wednesday.
The minister gave a lengthy presentation on drug use to residents, following reports that a number of persons in that community are engaged in large scale marijuana production.

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, donating a fogging machine to residents of Paramakatoi Village, Region Eight, on Wednesday last

During the minister’s talk on drugs, residents acknowledged that there are indeed a number of persons planting the illicit crop, but could not give reasons why the community has not confronted them about this practice.
“We need to tackle this as a community, and that is where we are looking to have farmers engaged in vegetable production. I am very concerned, because marijuana can have a damaging effect on children,” Minister Persaud said.
The use of this drug, he added, can also have negative social consequences on children and adults.
There have already been reports, the minister pointed out, about persons already affected by this practice within the community.
“We want you to plant crops and things that you can earn a legal living by selling.”
Because the use of illicit drugs is a social problem, he added, his ministry is insisting that residents engage in agricultural activities.
The minister highlighted to residents that the law enforcement agencies are aware of the marijuana fields in the area, and he encouraged residents to advise those who are engaging in such activities to be aware of that fact.

Some Paramakatoi residents during a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud on Wednesday

“Tell them that they should stop this practice… burn down the fields and start planting cassava and other legal crops!”
The consequences of this practice, growing and exploding in such a small community, will be detrimental, he added.
“We want to give you an alternative…technical officers will be returning to assist with a positive alternative.”
During the meeting with the minister, residents raised concerns about unpredictable weather patterns and the need for more farming tools.
Persaud, in responding to their concerns, encouraged them to look towards drip irrigation for areas where there is no abundant fresh water supply.
He said that technical officers will demonstrate the process to those farmers who are interested, to deal with the effects of climate change.
“When our extension officers are visiting again, we will be able to supply some of the basic tools,” Persaud said.
Planting materials, ants bait and cattle medications were distributed to residents.
The difficulties facing Region Eight farmers were highlighted to the Agriculture Minister on Wednesday and Thursday last, when he extended the ‘Grow More’ food campaign at Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kurukabaru and Mahdia.
In observance of Amerindian Heritage Month, the Agriculture Ministry has planned a series of outreach activities to meet with farmers and villagers of hinterland communities to discuss hindrances affecting them as well as possible solutions, with the aim of boosting hinterland agriculture.
Complaints of deficient roads, inadequate transportation, cattle rearing, acoushi ants, the need for agriculture science to be made compulsory in schools’ curriculum, need for extension officers, the high cost of food items, and land title issues were raised with the minister when he visited the various communities.
Accompanying Minister Persaud were Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Director of NARI; Dr. Sashi Kumar, Indian Spice Expert; John Woolford, Technical Manager, Ministry of Agriculture; Shyam Nokta, Chairman of National Climate Change Committee; and Chief Hydromet Officer, Bhaleka Seulall.

(Tusika Martin)