● WHY SHOULD THE PLANTERS OF RICHE-TERRE EVACUATE THEIR PLOTS OF LAND?

These planters have a lease on these lands till 2015. However, the government has planned to give them to a Chinese industrial group to open a major industrial zone. But it made it clear it would pay the tenants compensation and give them plots of lands in Arsenal and Bois-Marchand for their agricultural purposes.

● WHY DID THESE PLANTERS APPEAR SO ANGRY? DID THEY NOT AGREE TO MOVE FROM THEIR LANDS?

They never said they were not in favour of moving away but they said they did not have any of the promises made by the government concerning compensation and relocation in writing. They were not sure whether the government was serious or not.

● SOMETHING SEEMS TO HAVE CHANGED. PLANTERS DO NOT LOOK SO ANGRY ANYMORE, DO THEY?

They were invited to Clarisse House and the prime minister had a discussion with them. He explained the advantages of the implementation of Tianli for the country and has accepted to review the compensation upwards by 20%. As a result, each planter who has a lease will obtain Rs 120,000 ? even those who do not cultivate their lands because he does not want to create "two categories of planters".