Criticism of Chinese Abaco agricultural investment 'premature'

By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net:



GOVERNMENT officials say criticism over the planned Chinese investment in the Abaco agricultural sector is premature since no deal has been signed, or proposal submitted yet.

The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is engaged in discussions with the Chinese about large-scale investment in food processing and animal rearing.

Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, said: "I understand the group has been doing some work with the BAIC but nothing has been finalised yet. The initial stages have started. Nothing in writing has been put forward to government.

"There are some concerns. Some people from Abaco have spoken to me about their concerns. Any time a huge development is coming into a community it is normal for persons to want to know what is going on, but we cannot say until we know what is going on."

Two local farmers have asked the Government to hold a public forum in Abaco to discuss the nature of the plans, specifically disclosing information such as the environmental practices of the Chinese, and the "immediate and residual benefits" the Bahamas would obtain through an alliance.

Daphne deGregory, of Abaco Neem, said: "We want transparency. There are a lot of rumours flying around. Before the imaginations of people get carried away I think the responsible thing is for the Government is to have a public forum and not repeat a Bunker C situation where the whole world blows the situation out of proportion. We have to be a better government; a government of information; a proactive one that doesn't wait to react to public uprising.

"It is not something against Chinese. It is directed at any foreign country having a major role in agriculture in our country."

The Minister said the Chinese company would be required to submit an environmental impact assessment and a management plan to show how they are going to manage the use of chemicals and other products.

He mentioned the fact that animal husbandry creates large amounts of waste, so the management plan would outline how the liquid and solid waste would be disposed of as not to affect the water table

"We have to know how all of these things are going to be done. That would be examined before any final word is given. There would have to be some meeting half way so they are being done in compliance with the standards set by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the BEST Commission and the wider government. The Government is not going to allow anyone to set up shop without knowing what is going on."

Nick Miaoulis, Abaco Neem president and farmer, said the plan should encourage farmers in the direction where they can meet already-identified needs as a strategy of ensuring food security.

He said the indigenous knowledge and farming expertise was underutilised. He recommended, as an example, an investment in a potato processing plant in Andros, which he says "grows some of the best potatoes" to supply the local demand for processed potatoes in the form of French fries.

"Technical assistance from foreign bodies is great as long as they are coming in to farm safely, to provide training in new technology and teaching us to be self sufficient, managing the farms for the future for ourselves," he said.

BAIC administrators in Abaco said the various farming associations in Abaco have been privy to information about the plans of the Chinese, including the North Abaco Farmers Association, the Central Abaco Farmers Association and the All Abaco Farmers Cooperative.

"Let us be honest and frank, whether it is PLP or FNM, we voted for these persons. They would have done feasibility studies to see if these things are viable. But anyone can pitch up arbitrarily and say anything. All of these organisations want to tell the Government what to do - half of these people don't vote. It is just a handful of people saying a bunch of nonsense. No one has time to tell these private people what the Government is doing. They are not that important," said Ejnar Cornish, manager of the BAIC office on Abaco.

"If people want to come in with the technology and funds to back what they are saying, let us give them a chance and see what they could do. A decision has to be made so the people can work. Plenty people in Abaco are hurt," said Mr Cornish.

April 10, 2010

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