NDP visits farms in North Leeward

The New Democratic Party (NDP) continued its outreach to farmers with a visit to the North Leeward constituency last Wednesday.{{more}}

The touring party was made up of Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Leeward Roland Matthews, MP for West Kingstown Daniel Cummings, Research Officer in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition Addison Thomas, Custodian for Central Leeward Norrell Hull, President of the Young Democrats Nick Francis, Secretary General of the NDP Allan Cruickshank and other Executive Members of the Party.

The team spoke with farmers who produce bananas and non-banana crops and visited farms in the areas of Petit Bordel, Chateaubelair, Rose Hall, Richmond Vale Academy and Fitzhughes.

A release from the Party said similar problems were highlighted, as in the cases of North Central Windward, Marriaqua and North Windward. Concerns included lack of credit and non-spraying of the banana fields, which consistently affect their crops.

One farmer expressed how his five acres of farm land have now been reduced to less than one acre of cultivation, a situation which has caused several problems for him, including disconnection of his water supply on several occasions.

All farmers lamented that the whole situation is depressing, as no serious solution to date has been put forward by the Government.

The New Democratic Party will continue its outreach field visits to the farmers in South and Central Leeward, tomorrow, Wednesday, May 23.