Minister Meets With Farmers To Discuss Concerns
Recently, the Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban visited farmers to “speak with them regarding the increasing incidence of theft, the challenges they face providing produce for the local market, and opportunities to improve their industry.”
A Government spokesperson said, “”Members of the public will be aware of the term ‘night farming‘ used to describe the theft of produce from farms and gardens, usually carried out under cover of darkness.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the incidence of night farming across Bermuda has increased significantly, with reports of theft now occurring during the day.
“Generally, those most impacted are commercial farmers who rely on selling their produce to provide for themselves and their families.
“Minister Roban met with the following farmers to discuss their concerns and potential solutions:
- Daniel Renaud – Field located in Devonshire;
- Roger Pacheco Jr. – Locust Hall Farm, Devonshire
- Carlos Amaral – Market Farm, Devonshire
- Tom Wadson – Banana patch in Smiths
Following the meetings, Minister Roban said, “The issue of ‘night farming’ has been a cause of concern for farmers and home gardeners in Bermuda for many years, and this Government remains committed to working with the Bermuda Farming Association to address the growing incidence of theft.”
Earlier this month, the police appealed for information after “significant quantities” of produce including broccoli, beets, green zucchini, and sweet potato were reported stolen from farmers.
This is a joke right?
Never mind.
PLP ploy for something.
Yup problem solved, know all robain
The minister is clueless with what these hard working farmers who toil long hours to put food on our tables
He needs to address the issue of the girl at ag and fish who is slowly putting e screws on the farmers banning weed and feed , strawberry plants seed potatoes
Having this level of Ministerial interest is a good sign.
I always considered “night farming’ to be on a small scale. Personal use or small potatoes.
What I am reading about now is theft on a commercial scale. It is not the same thing that I consider to be “night farming”.
This mean that your community/island has came to the hunger point where they are willing to risk jail for a meal. That should alarm you politicians. Some are maybe selling for money to get other means but this should set off some alarm bells to those in power. Stop choking your community. Relax some taxes. Relax some charges and allow your community to bounce back so that people aren’t taking unnecessary risk in the name of survival. Make some space in the job market by slowing down foreign workers influx so that Bermudians can fill some of these jobs. If businesses aren’t paying a livable wage then let them be exposed…. Etc etc… these are just some random ideas but drastic measure need to be put in place to ensure the survival of the community and the revival of our economy.
Thank you, you explained it all. This government is creating more problems when coming to save us.
“Relax some taxes. Relax some charges and allow your community to bounce back so that people aren’t taking unnecessary risk in the name of survival”
No can do. The PLP Government needs every penny it can find to pay interest on billions of dollars it has borrowed.
“Make some space in the job market by slowing down foreign workers influx so that Bermudians can fill some of these jobs.”
If a foreigner has a job in Bermuda it is because no appropriately qualified Bermudian is available to fill that post.
I why do People consistently try to “soften” crime. Stealing from farmers is just that STEALING. Stop calling it “night farming”. It is outright theft.