Food Production Minister disturbed as farmers protest

Port-of-Spain: Minister of Food Production Vasant Bharath is today meeting with the acting Minister of Housing, Emmanuel George in an attempt to quell an escalating situation involving farmers whose crops were bulldozed by the Housing Development Corporation Monday to make way for housing projects.

Over 60 acres of land in Mausica and Egypt villages were razed by bulldozers, under the watchful eyes of dozens of police officers.

Scores of farmers this morning converged on the Ministry of Housing in Port-of-Spain in protest over the decision, saying that it goes against the Government's policy paper, which encourages the local production of food.

Minister Bharath joined the farmers and told them that he is disturbed by what has happened. He promised the farmers that he would meet with the acting Housing Minister today and will meet with them following that meeting.

The farmers meanwhile have filed an injunction in court to prevent the HDC from taking further action against farmers.