Elderly Farmer’s Daughter Condemns Sustainable Development Ministry Following Alleged Unjust Eviction.

This case study unveils a distressing narrative of bureaucratic overreach and systemic injustice perpetrated against a livestock farmer in St. Kitts. The farmer, who has diligently cultivated government-leased land for over two decades, finds himself entangled in a web of deceit, intimidation, and blatant disregard for his legal rights and livelihood. The situation, brought to light by the farmer’s daughter, paints a grim picture of a government agency wielding its power with callous indifference, leaving a trail of destruction and emotional devastation in its wake.

The ordeal began with the clandestine sale of three acres of the farmer’s leased land without his knowledge or consent. While the farmer accepted this initial encroachment, requesting only the restoration of his damaged fencing, the buyer, emboldened by the lack of repercussions, sought to acquire more land. The Permanent Secretary (PS) of Sustainable Development, in a shocking display of administrative abuse, facilitated the sale of additional land, again bypassing any form of communication with the farmer. The subsequent actions were nothing short of malicious: the farmer’s fencing was deliberately torn down, leading to the escape and subsequent death of some of his livestock. Heavy machinery was deployed to clear sections of the farm without even the courtesy of a prior discussion, demonstrating a complete disregard for the farmer’s rights and well-being.

Adding insult to injury, the farmer was served a six-day eviction notice on July 21, 2025. The notice, riddled with falsehoods, claimed that the farmer had received notification a year prior, a claim vehemently denied by the farmer and his family. Furthermore, the notice promised relocation assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture, a promise rendered hollow by the ministry’s admission of lacking available land for livestock farmers. This bureaucratic buck-passing further highlights the systemic failure and deliberate obfuscation employed by the government agencies involved. The Ministry of Agriculture’s reliance on the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the very entity implicated in the land seizure, for land allocation exposes a cruel irony and underscores the farmer’s desperate predicament.

The farmer’s daughter, in her impassioned plea for justice, recounted instances of officials trespassing on her father’s land, disrupting his work and violating his fundamental rights. The PS himself allegedly confronted the farmer at his workplace, subjecting him to public humiliation and verbal abuse in front of his employees – an act of utter disrespect and unprofessionalism that has left the family traumatized. This deplorable conduct not only demonstrates a lack of basic human decency but also raises serious questions about the ethical standards and accountability within the government agency.

Despite the daughter’s heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew in March 2024, pleading for intervention and redressal, no assistance has been forthcoming. This silence from the highest office in the land amplifies the sense of abandonment and powerlessness experienced by the farmer and his family. The lack of response raises concerns about the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding the rule of law. The case underscores a dangerous precedent where bureaucratic power is used to dispossess vulnerable individuals, undermining the very foundations of justice and fairness.

The blatant disregard for due process, the documented instances of intimidation and harassment, and the lack of accountability raise serious questions about the integrity of the government agencies involved. How can a senior public servant casually disregard legally binding leases and exhibit such contempt for a citizen’s livelihood? Where is the compassion, the rule of law, and the leadership that should protect the rights of its people? These are the questions that resonate at the heart of this case, demanding answers and accountability from those in power.

This case is not merely about land; it is about upholding fundamental principles of justice, dignity, and respect for individuals who contribute to society. The farmer, a symbol of the hardworking backbone of the nation’s food system, has been treated with utter disdain and disrespect. The family’s call for an investigation by the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman, and civil society resonates as a desperate plea for justice and a demand for accountability. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for bureaucratic abuse and the urgent need for safeguards to protect the rights and livelihoods of all citizens, particularly those who dedicate their lives to feeding the nation. The call to “SHARE THIS STORY. STAND UP FOR OUR FARMERS. STOP THE ABUSE.” echoes the urgent need for public awareness and collective action to ensure that such injustices are never repeated.