The land recovery committee in central Cojedes state, headed by governor Johnny Yánez, has found that only 14,000 hectares out of 54,000 hectares comprising Paraima ranch -located in the municipalities of Pao de San Juan Bautista and Tinaco- are currently productive.

Consequently, officials with the National Land Institute (INTI), the Agriculture and Land Ministry, and the Agrarian Solicitor's Office Sunday seized the estate to enforce a precautionary action intended to secure 30,000 hectares. This plot of land is to be used to develop the so-called Paraima Town, the governor's office said in a press release.

The ranch -owned by the Branger family- comprises 54,000 hectares. Some 30,000 hectares had been declared idle and wasteland of the nation. These 30,000 hectares were seized by agricultural cooperatives. Other 24,000 hectares were under scrutiny by authorities, and now the land recovery committee found that only 14,000 hectares are currently productive and are to remain in the hands of the Branger family.

Members of the committee said they are willing to negotiate a fair solution with the Brangers. Meanwhile, agricultural cooperatives in the ranch are undertaking plans to create the Paraima Town, the first model of agriculture development core ever in Venezuela.
 
Jaime Pérez Branger, a representative of Paraima ranch, rejected claims that only 14,000 hectares are productive in the estate.

"It is false. We have 32,000 productive hectares, while other 10,000 hectares are not productive because of squatting."

Pérez Branger added that "officials of the Cojedes state governor's office, INTI and the National Armed Force (FAN) seized the ranch. I have made efforts to contact the governor's office for an explanation."

He added that Paraima ranch is an example of collective property -a concept trumpeted by the government of President Hugo Chávez. The estate is owned and exploited by 30 families comprising an association.