Media Releases
Agriculture Ministry and IICA Engage in Strategic Dialogue to Strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s Agriculture
June 17, 2025: – Yesterday (Monday 16th June, 2025), the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) hosted the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Accountability and Agricultural Outlook Dialogue at its Head Office in Chaguanas.
The event brought together Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; His Excellency Peter Cavendish, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Delegation of the European Union; His Excellency Gustavo Pandiani, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic; senior officials from MALF; representatives from IICA and key private sector stakeholders.
This important dialogue provided a platform for sharing progress on agricultural development initiatives and discussing the outlook for food security, climate resilience and sustainable rural development in Trinidad and Tobago. The Ministry acknowledges the valuable technical support and partnership provided by IICA in advancing the country’s agricultural sector.
The Ministry highlights IICA’s contribution to climate resilience efforts, including the training of MALF officers in greenhouse gas inventory management and regional early warning systems. Strategic industry development was bolstered through initiatives like queen bee rearing training and cocoa cadmium mitigation, while upgraded tools and digital platforms have improved operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making within MALF.
Minister Ratiram emphasised the importance of unity and innovation in overcoming current global challenges stating “Let us embrace the challenges before us not with fear but with creativity, solidarity and a shared determination to build a food system that is sustainable, inclusive and resilient.” He further highlighted the critical role of collaboration saying “Our success as a Ministry depends on sustained collaboration with agencies like IICA, FAO, CARDI, CRC and of course our local producers, researchers and innovators.”
Also delivering remarks at the event, Ms. Diana Francis, IICA Representative, Trinidad and Tobago, reinforced the power of meaningful partnerships in achieving results “The accomplishments shared today were only possible because of genuine collaboration, particularly with the Ministry and our partners across the sector. Working together benefits all of us, and proves that even without large budgets, technical cooperation, shared vision and human talent can drive real transformation.”
The Dialogue featured presentations from IICA representatives, diplomats and private sector stakeholders on key themes including agribusiness development, food safety, biodiversity, water management and agri-technology.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries remains committed to fostering such engagements that promote transparency, cooperation and innovation towards building a robust and resilient agricultural sector for Trinidad and Tobago.
From L – R – Ms. Michelle Anne Thomas, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), MALF; Mrs. Nela Dwarika-Ali, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), MALF; His Excellency Gustavo Martínez Pandiani, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic; Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; His Excellency Peter Cavendish, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago; and Ms. Diana Francis, Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Trinidad and Tobago. The officials and representatives are pictured following the Accountability and Agricultural Outlook Dialogue.
Ms. Diana Francis, IICA Representative, Trinidad and Tobago, delivers remarks during the Accountability and Agricultural Outlook Dialogue.
Key stakeholders participate in the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s (IICA) Accountability and Agricultural Outlook Dialogue.
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