What is an agriculture land bank?

The Land Bank is a governmental entity which is mandated to identify idle and underutilized land, which can be converted into productive agricultural use. It includes government lands and “voluntarily” added private lands.

How is an agricultural land bank similar to a commercial bank?

In the context of the project, it is a large body of land, sometimes made up of several plots, held by a public or private organization for the development of Agriculture. The concept of land bank (ing) simply means bringing together under a system, government and private lands for agricultural use and managing it properly. Just as a commercial bank, banks money and gives loans, a land bank can bank land and lease plots.

Why a land bank?

I. To improve food and nutrition security, through a deliberate attempt to secure and increase the amount of lands available for agricultural production.

II. To create employment opportunities within the agriculture sector with a strong focus on youth and women.

III. To better prioritize food and nutrition requirements through a more targeted production approach

Who is responsible for the land bank project in St.Lucia?

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Natural Resources and Cooperatives with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Where will the land bank and lands be located?

The Land Bank Office will reside within the Department of Agriculture. To date a portion of Crown Lands has been identified in Pelouze, Micoud to form the pilot site for the project. Twenty (20) acres of agricultural land is currently being surveyed in the area and should be available for leasing in November, 2019. Lands have also been identified in Babonneau and Roseau as well, which would be made available for leasing when the pilot land bank project ends in December and the full fledged Land Bank Programme is rolled out by the Government of Saint Lucia in 2020. Agricultural crown lands are therefore the first parcels of lands targeted from all agricultural regions including Region 2 Babonneau, Region
3 Dennery, Region 4 Micoud, Region 5 Vieux-Fort, Region 6 Soufriere, Region 7 Roseau and Region 8 Cul De Sac. Private lands will also be included in the land bank, but at a date to be determined by administrators of the land bank.

Who can participate?

People interested in leasing land and those interested in leasing lands that they own.

People interested in leasing the land

. Youth (18-35)
. women of single parent households
. Organizations: such as cooperatives and companies
. Other farmers

How does one qualify to be accepted as a lessee in the land bank?

Criteria for the selection of eligible participants – (lessees)

· Must be citizens or permanent residents of St. Lucia
· Must be at least 18 years of age
· Must be domiciled in St. Lucia preferably in the area in which the agricultural land to be used in the project is located
· Failure to be a certified farmer with the Ministry of Agriculture will not exclude the applicant. Applicants who are not certified should be willing to participate in the Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Certification
Programme.
· Must have or be able to qualify for sufficient finance to fund the project until it becomes self- sustaining or profit generating
· Must have some knowledge of and be willing to practice sustainable farming and environmentally sound practices or should indicate willingness to enroll in future courses offered by the Department of Agriculture.

• Priority will be given to persons who have a history of successful completion of agricultural projects
  · Priority access to land will be given to fulltime applicants as opposed to parttime farmers applying to the programme
  · Priority will be given to women who are single income householders and youths (ages 18-35) with sound agricultural backgrounds
  · Applicants should propose a socially, environmentally and economically viable project plan which is suitable for the recommended land use for the area in which the parcel is located How is the actual application process done?
  Application forms will be available from Extension offices. Submit to any field office of the Extension Services, Department of Agriculture.

  How can I lease my underused or idle land to the land bank?

  The Land Bank procedures manual outlines this in more detail but in summary:

  I. The applicant must complete the application form and provide documents that support ownership or authorization such as title deed or power of attorney.

  II. Validation will be done to ensure the parcel (of land) is appropriate for agricultural use and is vacant.

  III. If the parcel is approved for deposit in the Land Bank a valuation will be required to determine the amount of compensation for the transfer (the annual lease rent to be paid by the Crown )

  IV. If the owner agrees to the terms, then the transfer documents are prepared and registered. In the case of a lease. Payments are made as agreed.

  V. Where there are multiple owners of the parcel to be placed, all owners must complete and sign the portions of the application form which pertain to owners.

1. In the case of common-law relationships filled spousal consent forms are required.

How will the Land Bank be administered?
It is guided by a National Steering Committee (already in operation) with the services of a National Project Coordinator, contracted by the Department of
Agriculture.

How can I be guaranteed I would not lose ownership of my land if I put it in the land bank? Legal agreements will be used to protect landowners.