Last Updated on July 23, 2026, 5:17 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Ministry of Sustainable Development has concluded the work to facilitate the relocation of farmers who were occupying land designated for residential use in Lemon Hill and Cabbage Tree areas. The Ministry has shared that the rehabilitation is being done in a safe and orderly manner.
The authorities have been entrusted with the responsibility for making sure that they reach an amicable decision regarding the matter. Notably the government had been constantly engaging with the farmers on the matter of land ownership since 2022.
The resolution of the matter came following court ruling given on March 31, 2026. In this ruling, the court dismissed an injunction filed against the Ministry by one of the aggrieved farmers.
Following the court hearing, all the farmers have relocate their operations to lands officially designated for agricultural use. The land designation is handled under the National Physical Development Plan.
The authorities have announced that the farmers received complete support from the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Ministry of Agriculture to make the relocation easy and smooth. The officials have also shared that after the relocation of the farmers, the lawful owners of the land can access the area. The owners can proceed with surveying and construction activities for their homes.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Agriculture have come together and conducted several months of engagement. The authorities participated in negotiations and came up with support strategies.
The authorities have confirmed that relocation efforts have been undertaken with careful consideration for both agricultural livelihoods and national physical planning priorities. The efforts were undertaken in alignment with the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA).
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, as the authority responsible for lands designated for residential and commercial use, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that landowners can access and utilize their properties without obstruction. The people across the island have welcomed this development as they would
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
