Farmers are once again reporting blatant crop theft in Antigua (file photo)
As the mango season hits full stride in Antigua, farmers are once again facing an all-too-familiar threat: crop theft. Recalling her losses after discovering a large quantity of mangoes stolen from her farm or even catching these young village thieves red handed, farmers are becoming frustrated with the series of thefts plaguing the island’s agricultural community.
Speaking to Antigua.News, a registered farmer from the Old Road community, who wishes to not reveal her identity, has shared her frustration over the matter.
“All of them are coming to our grounds, stealing our mangoes and different stuff and bringing them on Friars Hill Road to sell,” The frustrated farmer told Antigua.News. “We as the farmers have to work our ground and pay for our ground. We are the registered farmers, not the thief and them.”
The matter has been reported to the police, but yet the farmer said the thieves are still coming to the ground and making away with her produce.
“We call the police, the police come and say they go warn the parents, I said they are not going to warn the parents because he’s doing the same thing.”
The farmers’ appeals for stronger police intervention have so far gone unanswered. “We go and meet them on our ground, call the police and the police are not coming. We need help, even from the Commissioner of Police, we need help,” she pleaded.
This isn’t the first time farmers have fallen victim to crop theft. There has been a steady increase in reports of stolen produce, from mangoes and bananas to livestock and farming equipment.
Calls are now intensifying for law enforcement and government officials to step in with more effective measures to protect the country’s agricultural sector and the people who sustain it.
Put up some solar operated cameras and post the thieves photos around the island. That should stop them if they have any shame. I can’t stand a damn thief!
Farmers, install solar cameras around your properties and then plaster the photos of the thieves all over the island. If they have any shame, they will stop stealing.
Denle armas a los agricultores. Simple
Farmers suffer too much in the day and age. Time enough they have proper fencing with some electricity running inside.
What is the government doing to aid farmers in today’s world. There’s so many free mango tree and they choose to go on people farms and that’s crazy.
What’s left for the farmers to do? I’m not a farmer and even I am frustrated. Thats why I’m very particular about who I purchase goods from.
Mangoes are available a dime a dozen. Why would anyone have to steal the crop? I believe people are just greedy. The same mangoes they dont want to give away ends up on the ground and rotten. Is it really theft or a case of greed?
Must be frustrating indeed if you take your time to plant your crops and look forward to the harvest only for it to be stolen.