Guardian reported that hundreds of farmers from the villages of Aranguez, Cunupia and Pasea have joined forces with the anti steel mill and anti smelter activists with the hope of lobbying the government to change the route of the proposed rapid rail project.

AS per report, the group met with activists from the T&T United Fisherfolk, National Foodcrop Farmers Association, Pranz Gardens Village Association, Citizens for Social Justice, Rights Action Group and the Claxton Bay Fishing Association at the Claxton Bay fishing port.

Mr Anil Ramnarine president of the Cunupia Farmers Association said that prime agricultural lands at Esmeralda Road, Ragoonanan Road, Welcome Road, Mon Plasir Road and Ramgoolie Trace would be destroyed if the project continued along the proposed route. He added that "We have come here today to join with the anti smelter and anti steel mill activists to seek help to save our lands."

He said that while they were not against the construction of the rapid rail, they were concerned that hundreds of acres of prime agricultural land would be destroyed if the proposed construction came to fruition. Ramnarine said they produced food for local consumption and also exported fresh produce to the United States, Canada and England, as well as several islands along the Caribbean chain.

He added that destruction of farm lands for industrial purposes would lead to a surge in food prices. He added that "We support the struggle of the fisher folk who stand to lose their livelihood because of Government’s decision to construct an extension to the Point Lisas port, but farmers are now up against new threats with the rapid rail."

Meanwhile, Mr Norris Deonarine president of the National Food Corporation Association said that the government had to state whether its priority was food security or rapid rail. He added the government had been unable to provide adequate water to citizens. He also said that agricultural development could provide a sustainable livelihood for citizens. University of the West Indies lecturers Dr Peter Vine and Wayne Kublalsingh spoke with the activists and renewed their commitment to struggle for the protection of the fishing and agricultural industries.

(Sourced from www.guardian.co.tt)