Port of Spain: Angry farmers whose lands have been bulldozed by the HDC are now saying they will not allow any houses to be built on their property.
Following the destruction of crops in Mausica and Chaguanas on Easter Monday, farmers say they want an apology from Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal and legal authority to return to the land.
During a protest outside of South Quay offices of the HDC today, President of the Agricultural Society Dhano Sookoo said farmers have more rights to the land.
“We are not going to accept housing on those agricultural lands. It is a no-no. We have had enough of this. We have had enough agricultural land going into housing in the past. We have tolerated this for over thirty years and the time for this to end is now.”
President of the Goat and Sheep Farmers Association Sharaz Khan said he’s hoping food prices escalate so farmers are taken seriously.
"Farmers out there have to demonstrate, for their livelihood to be better. We should not be selling any food in the market and this will create a shortage. We are really hoping that food prices escalate so that the country can understand the importance of farmers in this country.”
