Twelve years after Caroni (1975) Limited folded, hundreds of cane farmers have finally received their first tranche of compensation from government, on behalf of the European Union. But many farmers said they were disappointed with the meagre sums.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie met with the farmers at Enchanted Gardens complex at New Grant on Wednesday where they distributed cheques to 500 farmers.
Tewarie said no farmer received less than $12,000 but interviews with farmers showed otherwise.
One farmer Jagmohan Ramsaran, who once planted 11 acres said he only got $4,000.
“They told me that I have two more payments to receive. I am feeling very hurt because this money can never compensate for what was lost,” Ramsaran said.
Shameer Mohammed, who planted 15 acres said, “This money too small. We cannot do anything with it. What kind of investments could we make with this little money.”
Another farmer Jitman Subran who had to sell his lands to pay off outstanding loans when the sugar industry collapsed, said after a dozen years, many farmers died and became ill because of financial worries. He also said the method of payment was flawed as calculations were not based on the period when farmers were most productive.
Several other farmers said they were satisfied because they were not expecting any compensation.
Zainool Babwah said, “I planted nine acres at Indian Trail Couva and I am thankful for whatever we got.”
Tewarie, who spoke with farmers, said $130 million was allocated to be disbursed in three tranches to 3,481 cane farmers as a final settlement to the 2007 transition payment.
He said two tranches of $27 million and $75 million will be paid this year, while a third tranche of $28 million will be paid in 2016.
However, Tewarie said the compensation formula was based on the same formula developed by the Divestment Secretariat which was agreed to by four representative came farmers’ associations.
“This formula provided for an enhanced dollar value per tonne and a minimum payment of $12,000 which basically was a payment of $105 per tonne, as opposed to $70 per tonne, which was paid in 2007,” Tewarie said. He added that the new formula assured that 1,157 farmers who would have other wise received less than $12,000, will now receive that sum.
Tewarie said he hoped that the fifth cane farmers association, the Cane Producers Association will also accept the arrangement.
Out of 3,481 eligible farmers, Tewarie said 3,070 have accepted settlement. He added that the remaining 411 farmers who have not yet signed for a final settlement are out of the country or have not yet acquired legal documents.