Agriculture minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, has expressed a level of discomfort with the quality and pace at which mined-out bauxite lands are being restored.

"My concern is the quality of the restoration and the extent to which these lands can be gainfully engaged in agriculture or other forms of economic activity," Tufton told The Sunday Gleaner.

The agriculture minister added that it was important that the stipulated requirements for the reclamation of bauxite lands be maintained so that persons can gain the benefit of its use once the sun has set on mining in the areas.

marginal lands

Tufton said that he has asked the National Irrigation Commission to discuss with bauxite companies the possibility of converting mined-out pits into water catchment system to support agricultural production, but has noted that "mined out lands are marginal lands and only certain crops are suited" to be grown on them.

The minister said that the bauxite companies have advanced work to help farmers acquire lands and to put mined-out lands into production once more.

However, he was not convinced that farmers can gain wealth from the assistance they have received.

"The efforts of the bauxite companies tend to focus more on subsistent existence - small holding farming; it preserves existence but it does not generate wealth," Tufton said.

- Daraine Luton