Oh! for a tractor to plough our lands in Union Island like in Carriacou

EDITOR: The abundance of agricultural products coming out of neighbouring Carriacou caused me to wonder why Union Island has fallen so far behind. Although I planned to go over there to see the tractor and the farmlands that it plows, I have not gotten around to doing so. It does not appear to be a case of the grass looking greener on the other side of the fence because the quality corn and water melons I see are real.

Most of the local farmers are over 50 and having access of a tractor to plow the lands can increase our productivity greatly. We might be able to attract younger farmers if we can show that the work can be made easier through mechanization.

The teaching of Agriculture in the secondary school has not had the kind of impact that it should because of the lack of adequate support. We understand that Carriacou’s tractor is available to farmers there on demand at a reasonable rate.

Carriacou has a Ministry of Carriacou Affairs physically present there. Our Ministry of Grenadines Affairs is located on mainland St. Vincent and the Minister is ill for quite some time now. Although we have an Agricultural Extension Officer, he too is stationed in St. Vincent. We do have a resident Director of Grenadines Affairs but his role is not known. At one time, the District/Revenue Officer was the embodiment of local Government here, but that system was dismantled without any replacement. As it stands now Union Island appears to be abandoned.

Without any Constituency Development Fund, our representative in parliament, Terrance Ollivierre is powerless to use any of our taxes to benefit us in the Southern Grenadines. The way these islands are separated by water and the communication challenge creates the need for an Island Development Fund on each island. Perhaps if we had a single social worker, we could be organized with much self-help to empower us to accomplish much utilizing the resources we have.

Last growing season, I paid over $1000 to plow 1/8 of an acre, had stray animals causing substantial damage to my crops. I did not recover the cost of production but I am not giving up. Animals perpetually on the loose was never our culture.

Farmers here always cared for their animals all year round. The conditions now are a consequence of apparent neglect and indifference by the authorities. I have been trying to get a hold a copy of the Grenadines Declaration to check for its relevance in these times. I wish we could arrange for the Carriacou tractor to come up to plough our lands.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD