Debt forgiveness for St Kitts farmers

The government of the twin-island federation has introduced an amnesty programme for those who owe the Agriculture Department rent on lands.(Photo: Discover St Kitts Nevis Beaches)

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, November 2, 2009 – Farmers in St Kitts and Nevis are being offered some debt relief.

The government of the twin-island federation has introduced an amnesty programme for those who owe the Agriculture Department rent on lands.

Farmers with legalised land tenure, who are in arrears, will have until December 31st to pay 25 per cent of the outstanding monies. The government says if they do so, the remaining 75 per cent will be forgiven.  
 
But the Director of Agriculture, Ashton Stanley, says if these arrangements are not made by the end of the year, farmers will be required to pay the debt in full.
 
The government said it was making the offer because it recognises the difficulties which farmers may be facing in these harsh economic times.

It said this latest initiative is in line with other amnesty programmes such as the Inland Revenue tax amnesty programme which enabled a waiver of penalties on individual and business tax penalties if the full amount was paid between April and September this year.

There is still a 70 per cent waiver on those tax penalties until the end of this year.