The Praedial Larceny Squad has recently faced significant challenges due to a lack of operational vehicles, severely limiting its ability to respond to reports of agricultural theft.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ravi Ratiram, revealed that upon assuming office, he discovered the unit had no working vehicles. He said this shortage has severely impacted its ability to protect farmers and agricultural lands from theft and vandalism.
He noted that some victims of praedial larceny have given up on agriculture altogether.
“I had the opportunity, the unfortunate opportunity, to visit one of the victims of praedial larceny in this same Aranguez community, at his home, where they were being harassed. The dog was attacked, wife was attacked, the farmer was attacked, and praedial larceny is something that has been chasing farmers out of agriculture. Farmers have been abandoning their fields because of the issue with praedial larceny.”
Minister Ratiram acknowledged the urgency of the situation and has since allocated resources to repair several vehicles. He also noted that two brand-new vehicles have been purchased and are expected to be delivered before the end of September.
He reiterated that by the end of September, the unit should have all nine vehicles fully operational.
“When I came into the Ministry, not one of the vehicles was functioning. All the vehicles were down. And how it is Praedial Larceny could be outside patrolling when they have no vehicles? You call the Praedial Larceny Unit they say, ‘sorry we have no new vehicle, we can’t come out now.’ That is something that must be in the past.”