Farmers Facing Losses Because of Larceny
The issue was discussed at length during a meeting between farmers and officials within the ministry of agriculture recently.
The issue was discussed at length during a meeting between farmers and officials within the ministry of agriculture recently.
The problem is not unique to Montserrat.
Conservative estimates are that 18% of the value of farm output regionally is taken by thieves, resulting in 321 million US dollars annually in the Caribbean, retarding the growth of the agricultural sector for decades.
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 and sold.
Larceny is the most extensive among all crimes committed in the sub region in terms of the number of persons and families affected.
On average 82% of farmers and fishers affected are commercial or semi commercial producers.
Minister of Agriculture Honourable Crenston Buffonge says a tough stance has to be taken against these thieves.