Twenty (20) Farmers to benefit from Agricultural Parcels in Petit Morne

Twenty (20) young farmers from South Trinidad have been allocated a forty (40)-acre block of State land in Petit Morne, St. Madeleine, which is to be developed into two (2)-acre parcels for the purposes of agriculture. So said Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, following the signing of a Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) and the Rural Development Company Limited (RDC) at MALF’s Chaguanas Head Office earlier today (Wednesday 12th January, 2022).

The Agreement, which treats with the provision of procurement and project management services in respect to the development of the forty (40)-acre block, also provides for the relocation of eighteen (18) farmers, whose agricultural holdings along the Marabella Train Line (South of the Petrotrin Refinery), were affected as a result of the construction of the Waterfront Development in San Fernando. Also included in the current arrangement, are two (2) additional farmers from the San Fernando area, both of whom according to Minister Rambharat, were affected by precarious land tenure agreements, incidents of theft and adverse weather conditions, despite their significant strides and financial investments in agriculture.

The Minister also noted that while the agreement makes provisions for the development of the forty (40)-acre site for the purpose of relocation, it was one of three (3) blocks of State land in Petit Morne, comprising of over 290 acres, with the other two (2) blocks being earmarked by the Government for the development of the Homestead Programme and Greenhouse Project in the future, given the area’s topography, location and access to utilities and markets.

With respect to the Greenhouse Project the Honourable Minister said: “The idea is to develop Greenhouse facilities that will give young people, in particular, the opportunity to move away from traditional agriculture to that of protected farming. To this end, the Government has entered into a partnership with the Chinese Government to provide technical advice on greenhouses with the aim of having these deployed across the country. The intention is to involve the National Agricultural Marketing Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) in the initial phase and then subsequently engage the RDC to partner with us.”

In bringing remarks at the event, Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Member of Parliament (MP) for San Fernando East, the Honourable Brian Manning, expressed his gratitude towards the initiative, which he said will bring tremendous benefits to Petit Morne as he looked forward to working closely with the Agriculture Ministry on other projects, in due course.

Also present at the signing of the Agreement were the: Minister of Rural Development and Local Government (RDLG), Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein; Acting Permanent Secretary (MALF), Ms. Susan Shurland; Permanent Secretary (RDLG), Ms. Desdra Bascombe; Chairman of the RDC, Ms. Patricia Alexis and Chief Executive Officer of the RDC, Mr. Jason Kissoon.

Ingenuity abounds in MALF’s Crèche-making competition!

With just a ten (10)-point variance between the highest and the lowest scores, the judges of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries’ Nativity Scene / Crèche Competition 2021, were presented with the unenviable task of selecting the top winners in a closely contested battle, the results of which, were evidently determined on the basis of detail. Such was among the general sentiments of Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), Ms. Susan Shurland, who served as the competition’s chief judge alongside two (2) members of her Secretariat – Mrs. Peggy Lynch-Grecia and Ms. Binmatie Ramoutar. The comments were made at the Prize Giving Ceremony for MALF’s Nativity Scene / Crèche Competition which took place on Tuesday 21st December, 2021, at the Ministry’s Head Office in Chaguanas.

The competition, which was adjudicated on Monday 20th December, 2021, saw the submission of the Agricultural Planning Division, emerge as the overall winner with some 45.6 of a total of 50 points. Closely trailing this significant feat were the crèche models of the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division and Ms. Genieve Prescod of the Corporate Communications Unit, which earned the second and third place spots with 43.6 and 40 points, respectively. Securing fourth place was Ms. Kristal Sam of the Accounts Unit (39.6 points), with the fifth and sixth positions going to Ms. Jaselle Daniel of the Procurement Unit (37.6 points) and Ms. Paula Reece of the Legal Unit (35 points).

Speaking on her experience on the judging panel, the Permanent Secretary (Ag.) said that while the quantum of submissions in the competition were quite small, their quality was of a very substantial nature and as such, had to be assessed with some added scrutiny. Ms. Shurland said: “While the slight variance of points awarded was testament of the submissions’ soundness in terms of overall creativity, the final results had come down to the intricate details of those distinguishing features we’ve all come to value in the traditional crèche / nativity scene.” She added too that it was heartening to witness the tremendous investment of time and effort which went into the production of these crèche models which in many instances, entailed some level of teamwork amongst staff and involved the very unique use and manipulation of old and / or recyclable material which may have otherwise been discarded.

Participants of the competition were asked to submit crèche models made from at least one (1) recycled item and one (1) local, natural item. These were to include baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the three (3) Wise Men as well as a minimum of two (2) barn animals – none of which, were to be store-bought. To this end, the judging criteria entailed: general presentation / visibility (12 points); creativity (12 points); use of recycled items / materials (13 points) as well as the use of local, natural items / materials (13 points).

Aimed at celebrating the true meaning of Christmas through the creativity of craft, the competition – which was the first of its kind in the Ministry – was open to all members of staff for a period of four (4)-weeks (i.e. Friday 19th November – Friday 17th December, 2021), during which time, participants were required to construct  their crèche models (as per criteria) and document their use of materials, apparatus and / or processes employed.

The competition’s prizes, which consisted of food vouchers via Xtra Foods, tokens and non-alcoholic beverages, were sponsored by Carib Brewery as well as other corporate / private entities.

MALF’s Nativity Scene / Crèche Competition 2021 – Prizes & Results

1ST PLACE ($650 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Agricultural Planning Division (45.6 points);

2ND PLACE ($450 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Extension Training and Information Services Division (43.6 points);

3RD PLACE ($250 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Genieve Prescod of the Corporate Communications Unit (40 points);

4TH PLACE ($150 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Kristal Sam of the Accounts Unit (39.6 points);

5TH PLACE (Token + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Jaselle Daniel of the Procurement Unit (37.6 points); and

6TH PLACE (Token + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Paula Reece of the Legal Unit (35 points).

Agriculture Ministry Pays over $50M to Farmers and Suppliers

Final payments of over $50 million are now being made to farmers and other suppliers!

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries along with the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) thank our farmers, local poultry processors and other suppliers for the overwhelming support given since May 2021 towards the Government’s local food distribution programme.

From May to September 2021, there were over 180,000 distributions. This was in excess of the originally budgeted amount of 125,000. Furthermore, from September 2021 to present, there was an additional 100,000 distributions. This is an excellent achievement but the Ministry also wants to take this opportunity to apologise for the recent delays in final payments. This was a result of a decision after the 2021/22 budget preparations, to accede to requests for the continued distribution of local food packages to approximately 25,000 families each month. The matter has been resolved, the funds are in the NAMDEVCO’s account and the cheques will be available for collection.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries thanks everyone for their continued support and wishes the national community a Merry Christmas and a safe and successful 2022.

 

Head of Praedial Larceny Squad:

“Police alone can’t fix T&T”

Fixing our country is not a job for the police or any single entity but must be accomplished by all groups in our society; either we save our country together or we all perish striving to succeed individually. Such were among the heartfelt sentiments expressed by the Superintendent of the Praedial Larceny Squad (PLS), Mr. Murchisson Alexis, as he addressed both recipients and attendees at an Award and Recognition Ceremony hosted by the PLS on Friday 10th December, 2021.

The Ceremony – which took place at the Municipal Police Academy in Gopaul Lands, Marabella – was attended by the Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), Ms. Susan Shurland; Assistant Superintendent Brian Bruce (PLS); Assistant Superintendent of the Transit Police Unit, Mr. Edwin Phillip; President of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Daryl Rampersad and President of the Cunjal Food Crop Project, Mr. Nischol Navin Persad.

In highlighting the benefits of strategic collaboration in the fight against crime, Superintendent Alexis lauded the strategic wisdom of the PLS in uniting its efforts with that of the Municipal Police, the Transit Police, the Immigration Detention Centre, Forest Rangers, the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD) as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service – all of whom bore the brunt of collective responsibility. He also emphasized the African adage that it takes a village to raise a child” and said that in going forward, it was incumbent on us all to “re-educate ourselves and train the young people to return to the morality of our elders,” inclusive of which he said, must entail the “good graces of yesteryear.”

Superintendent Alexis encouraged all PLS Officers – despite their unique challenges – to remain diligent and focussed in their undertakings and lauded, in particular, those award and recognition recipients whom he referred to as patriots as they would have braved the many pessimistic attacks of those detractors who sought to impede the tremendous work of the PLS, over the years.

In her remarks at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) Shurland reflected on the characteristics of an “ideal” worker, which she noted, would auger well for the PLS if Officers were to measure their own conduct by those standards. Among these exemplary traits she identified were: professionalism, accountability, effective communication, respectful interaction and the art of diplomacy. She added too that she was utilising her very best efforts, to ensure that the PLS was adequately resourced so as to better enable it to effectively reduce the incidence of praedial larceny in the country.

Just over twenty (20) Officers of the PLS received awards in six (6) respective categories – namely, Appearance & Turnout; Punctuality & Regularity; Special Achievement; Dedication / Devotion to Duty; Merit and; Outstanding Performance – with some eight civilians being recognised for their distinguished and continued support to the work and success of the PLS.

Agriculture Ministry to Consumers: No Shortage of Chickens in the Country

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries denies a claim being made by Ravi Ratiram, Member of Parliament (MP), that there is a shortage of local chicken on the market. Our local chicken processors have advised the Ministry that they continue to meet the ongoing demands for chicken, heading into the peak Christmas and end of year periods.

With the decision to also extend the Food Box Program for an additional three (3) months from October to December, 2021 and the demand for local chicken with the reopening of bars and food businesses, the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) was able to acquire chickens on credit terms on certain days and in specific quantities. On that basis, local chicken is included with the food boxes when chicken is available to NAMDEVCO.

In addition, during the October/November period, some MPs requested that no chicken be included with the food boxes because their constituents were observing the traditional fasting period.

Both the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, Land and Fisheries are collaborating to fund the current liabilities to local chicken processors and farmers as already approved by Cabinet and to do so before the Food Box Program completes the current cycle on December 22, 2021.

Government concludes longstanding State land matters involving PLIPDECO and the Zoo

“With the presentation of these lease letters today (17/11/2021), the Government has completed its work in respect to treating with State land issues involving the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ZSTT), which dates back to about four (4) decades”, so said the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat as he addressed recipients at a Lease Letter Distribution Ceremony which took place at the Ministry’s Head Office in Chaguanas.  Among the recipients at the event were the ZSTT President, Mr. Narine Gupte Lutchmedial and the Chairman of the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation (PLIPDECO), Mr. Daniel Dookie.

In delivering his remarks, Minister Rambharat noted that out of the four (4) State land parcels under the remit (tenancy) of the ZSTT, three (3) of these were substantively dealt with since 2017 with the final land transaction concluding with today’s (17/11/2021) lease letter disbursement. The Minister also indicated that like the ZSTT, the process for PLIPDECO was also a “painfully slow grind” and added that “this land transaction was equally important for PLIPDECO in that the acquired leased State land will significantly increase the size of its current operations.”

Speaking on behalf of PLIPDECO was its Chairman, Mr. Daniel Dookie who expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Government, saying he was duty-bound to make optimal use of this precious land resource which was a direct investment on behalf of the State. “The Government would no doubt expect us to capitalize on this opportunity by monetising upon the expansion of the industrial estate, for the benefit of PLIPDECO, its stakeholders and the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Mr. Dookie added.   

Apart from ZSTT and PLIPDECO, two (2) other persons received lease letters in respect to their allocation of agricultural State land. All four (4) lease letters received, convey Cabinet’s approval to grant a State lease for an initial period of thirty (30) years. This in turn, enables recipients to engage State agencies and financial institutions in respect to the conduct of legitimate business in respect to their parcels.

Also in attendance were the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ms. Susan Shurland and the Manager-Legal Services (PLIPDECO), Ms. Deowatie Dilraj-Battoosingh.

 

Agriculture Minister to Lease Letters Recipients:  It is vitally important that you follow through with the process

In addressing recipients at a Lease Letter Distribution Ceremony held earlier today at the MALF Head Office in Chaguanas, Agriculture Minister, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat said that persons have a responsibility to follow through on the process of obtaining their leases with the Commissioner of State Lands (COSL), as this is the beginning of another chapter in their journey in securing land tenureship. He added that, on many occasions, individuals are left wondering about the status of their applications and encouraged them to be more vigilant in their efforts as it will be for their own benefit.

Minister Rambharat went on to outline the process and requirements that have now been formally documented in their lease letters as this information will assist them in transacting business at the Office of the Land Management Division when they are contacted. These include:-

i) Issuance of a Letter of Offer by the Commissioner of State Lands (COSL) outlining the terms and conditions of their lease;

ii) Acceptance/Rejection of the Offer;

iii) Nomination of a Trinidad and Tobago Land Surveyor;

iv) The COSL will instruct the Director of Surveys to issue a Survey Order for persons to nominate a Trinidad and Tobago Land Surveyor;

v) The survey must be conducted by their nominated Land Surveyor;

vi) Original Survey Plans MUST be submitted to the COSL; and

vii) The COSL will then instruct the COSL to prepare the requisite leases.

This information he said, is intended to give persons a greater insight on how the systems work, as they are now fully apprised of the process and the necessary documentation that are required for approvals in a timely manner.

The Minister then indicated to the recipients, that should they receive no communication from the COSL Office in forty-five (45) days, they are to subsequently contact the Ministry to notify staff of the issue.

At today’s programme, twelve (12) persons and two (2) organisations – the Fire Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago and Prison Officers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago – received lease letters in respect to Agricultural, Residential, Homestead and Institutional State lands.

 

MOA Signed between MALF and SANITEC Limited

Earlier today (Tuesday 9th November, 2021), the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) and SANITEC Limited (SANITEC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enter into a strategic partnership for the development of the former site of the National Animal Disease Centre (NADC), as part of the transformation and modernisation of the facility located in Centeno.

Furthermore, SANITEC will establish a Decontamination and Disposal Facility at NADC, provide technical support for the improvement in laboratory services and for the reduction of untreated hazardous waste entering the county’s landfills; as well as a lay down for any heavy equipment, trucks and other machinery which is required in case of national/large scale emergency.

The Company will also be granted the use of the land by MALF to access certain infrastructure of the NADC site for a term of ten (10) years with a review of the third (3rd), sixth (6th) and ninth (9th) year with the option for an extension of this MOA for a further five (5) years, the terms and conditions of which are subject to the approval of Cabinet, for the purpose of operationalisation of the said services.

The intended benefits to be derived from the partnership by MALF include:

a) The NADC site will become habitable and occupied once again by staff of both the MALF and SANITEC.

b) The installation of perimeter lighting and security camera system to assist in securing the premises.

c) Reduction in expenditure for sanitisation and incineration services.

d) The existing roof of the stables to the foreground will be repaired and the general stables upgraded with an office area and improved lighting.

e) All stables in the foreground and background along with the attached housing will be repainted and sanitised.

f) Training in infection Prevention & Control (IPC) to MALF Personnel via structured workshops will be held semi-annually.

g) Routine ground maintenance of the location including foreground to the Caroni South Bank Road for both MALF and SANITEC.

Under the present arrangement, SANITEC has committed to finance the upgrade of the NADC site and has also given the assurance of handling  MALF’s waste material and will provide free sanitisation of the Ministry’s buildings/offices as part of its obligations under the MOA.

The MOA was signed by Ms. Susan Shurland, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and Mr. Abhishek Ramsahai, Managing Director of SANITEC.

Also present were, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Mr. Dominic Hinds, Manager of Corporate Communications at MALF and other representatives from SANITEC.