Praedial larceny is just as critical a crime as any other and should be treated as such, said Sheraz Khan coordinator for the Farmers Coordinating Council.

The council, a conglomerate of six divisions of agriculture, met yesterday at the Transport and Industrial Workers Union (TIWU) office at Laventille to discuss their national budget wish list.

Khan said the council was calling on for the fulfilment of campaign promises for agriculture made by the People's Partnership government.

He said praedial larceny was a serious problem and affected the livelihood of the farmer and his ability to bring a reasonably priced crop to market.

He said praedial larceny had a far-reaching impact on the cost of foods.

"We are calling on the government to give us our share now. We have been neglected for years and its time for the government to deal with us," he said.

Khan said the farmers wanted security of tenure for their lands.

"We have been asking for that for more than 20 years and it has not happened yet," he said.

The council is giving the government until May 2011 to have land tenure issues resolved.

The coalition, which comprised members of the Beekeepers Association, Cocoa Farmers Association- South, Livestock Farmers Association, National Foodcrop Farmers Association, Rice Growers Association and the Sheep and Goat Association, said they were asking the People's Partnership to make good on their campaign promises and provide for the farmers.