Local agricultural land is at risk for personal use in speculative purposes

In Malta, many fields and agricultural areas are being sought after and used in private construction or speculative purposes as opposed to their intended use of farming. Ultimately, an over exertion of public land would be damaging to our own self-efficiency, as already seen in last year's coronavirus restrictions, where importing was becoming scarcely available and a reliance on local produce.

In Malta, several agricultural areas with fields bordering trails are also used by locals for recreational purposes such as strolling or jogging to stay active. The fields bordering towns which act as the income for many farmers and are also used by active travelers are now at risk, due to the regulatory frameworks which have incentivized the rural landscapes as investments. This has since caused various tenant farmers to appeal to courts for the soaring prices to rent the land. An issue is that commercial land as well as agricultural land are being weighed at the same rates, leaving farmers unable to keep up with the prices. Other adverse effects of this would cause local produce prices to increase to meet the rental demands and hence locals would turn to purchasing imported products. 

Recently, Malcolm Borg, a representative of the NGO Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi  has gone to court to appeal that Maltese agricultural areas can be safeguarded from the soaring prices placed by land owners to farmers that have been using the land for decades, as well as the easily attainable permits that can allow landowners to extend their properties beyond development zones. These impacts on our environment can cause a suffocating effect when regulations aren't exercised, which can affect the farmers whose livelihood depends on their yield and are strained by the soaring commercial price tags for the area of rural land. Another stakeholder in this are the citizens, which due to actions of self interest of few, others may be unable to enjoy the Maltese country side.

So far, an attempt by Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi has proposed a reform to the policies that differentiate rural and commercial land, while farmers themselves are protesting the exorbitant prices of rent being requested. You can show your support by visiting the NGO's Facebook page Here. By being involved and sharing ideas, a reform to the current burden our farmers are facing can be regulated better as well as ultimately preserving our country side.

Do you have any recommendations on what else can be done to join the movement to preserve rural lands? Let us know in the comments below.