GOVERNMENT ADVANCES AGRICULTURAL LAND TRANSITION PROGRAMME AMID ONGOING CHALLENGES

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, April 30, 2026 (SKNIS): Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, the Honourable Dr. Joyelle Clarke, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the orderly transition of agricultural lands to support national development priorities.

Addressing the Sitting of the National Assembly on April 30, 2026, Minister Clarke outlined the progress made under the Agriculture Sustainable Development Land Transition Programme, which seeks to relocate farmers from lands designated for residential and commercial use while balancing agricultural productivity and national planning objectives.

“To date, these efforts have generally been met with compliance resulting in smooth and equitable transitions,” said Minister Clarke. “The ministry, along with my presentations here in parliament, have been on the national radio, local radio stations. We have visited farmers, conducted technical meetings, been on various talk shows, and we are engaging as much as possible to ensure people are aware of our intentions.”

The minister noted that despite significant progress, ongoing challenges persist involving two farmers in the Cayon and Lodge areas, impacting more than 400 landowners awaiting access to their legally purchased properties. Deadlines previously extended to accommodate harvesting timelines have passed without full compliance, resulting in continued delays.

“I wish to underscore that the Ministries of Sustainable Development and Agriculture have made every effort to ensure that these transitions are equitable and take all realities and needs into consideration,” said Senator Clarke. “Landowners, prospective landowners, farmers, crops and the value of their crops and their livelihoods. To this end, we assembled a joint technical working group of both the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Agriculture.”

The government continues to emphasise fairness, transparency, and adherence to national zoning regulations as it advances sustainable land management and development across the Federation.

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