Minister Rambharat: Our Objective is to make Good Farmers Better Farmers

 

In delivering his remarks at an Agro-Incentive Cheque Distribution event earlier today at the Ministry’s Head Office in Chaguanas, Agriculture Minister, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat said the objective of the Agro-Incentive Grant along with several other initiatives are all aimed at making good farmers better farmers, as there are now a number of facilities in place for them to access in order to expand their enterprises to become more successful.

He iterated that the agricultural sector has seen an increase in the productivity levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as it was viewed as an essential service with many farmers having also taking the opportunity to sell their produce at the various Farmers Markets throughout the country.

Minister Rambharat said that while land tenure continued to be a challenge, the Ministry was working diligently to address this concern with a technology-driven approach in order to be more efficient.

On the issue of Agro-Processing, the Minister said the Expression of Interest process for the outfitting and operation of the incomplete Brechin Castle Packing House project was recently completed and will be placed in the hands of the successful private entity, with the outfitting expected to be completed in approximately six (6) months. He added too that PriceSmart will soon be establishing its Regional Distribution Centre at the Phoenix Park Estate at Point Lisas where it will be packaging and distributing agricultural produce for its stores. To this end, such will be another major opportunity for farmers to market their produce.

Minister Rambharat said Green Houses in this country had not generated the type of impact which he had hoped given the existing climatic conditions, pest and disease management issues and the demand from supermarkets and restaurants for a consistent supply of commodities. All of these issues he opined, can be easily resolved in a controlled environment. In this regard, he said that the Government will soon be making an investment in greenhouses, making it available only to qualified persons who have the experience, expertise and the ability to manage them. In addition, a private sector company has been approved to establish and operate a modern greenhouse in close proximity to the St. Augustine Nurseries in St. Joseph.

At today’s event, seventeen (17) recipients received a total of $1.6m in Agro-Incentive Grants. Also in attendance were the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh and Permanent Secretary (Ag) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ms. Susan Shurland.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SALES OFFICES

Please be informed that all Sales offices at the following locations will be temporarily closed on Thursday 30^th September 2021 due to the end of financial year 2021:

• Augustine Nurseries, Curepe
• La Reunion Plant Propagation Station, Centeno
• Marper Farm, Manzanilla
• The National Seed Bank, Chaguaramas

Normal Business Hours will resume with effect from Friday 1^st October 2021.

The Agricultural Services Division thanks all our clients for their understanding and cooperation.

 

Director,

Agricultural Services Division

27/9/2021

ISSUANCE OF STATE GAME LICENCES

FOR THE 2021-2022 HUNTING SEASON

 

The Conservator of Forests/Chief Game Warden wishes to advise that the hunting of designated wildlife will commence on Friday 1^st October, 2021 and end on February 28^th, 2022. This is in accordance with the Conservation of Wildlife Act.

In this regard, State Game Licences will be available from Monday 27^th September, 2021 between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday at the following Forestry Division Offices in Trinidad and Tobago:

§  Long Circular Road, St. James	§ Rio Claro
§  San Fernando	§  Sangre Grande
§  Tunapuna §  Roxborough (Tobago)	§  Chaguanas §  Scarborough (Tobago)

State Game Licences will cost $100 each (with a Limit of 3 State Game Licences per hunter).  Persons visiting the Forestry Division Offices to purchase a State Game Licence must adhere to the established COVID-19 protocols, in particular, the wearing of face mask and avoiding congregation in accordance with the Public Heath Guidelines

Each station will facilitate on average between 100-150 persons per day.

The Ministry thanks all hunters for their continued support and again wishes to remind persons to be responsible and follow the required COVID 19 guidelines, to ensure a safe and successful hunting season.

 

 

Adjustments to the opening hours of the Royal Botanic Gardens

The Public is hereby notified that the opening hours of the Royal Botanic Gardens, inclusive of the Wildflower Park, will be adjusted from August 01, 2021 as detailed below.

• August 01, 2021: 6a.m. to 10a.m.
• August 02, 2021: CLOSED
• Effective August 03, 2021:

Monday to Friday:

6a.m. to 9a.m. and

3p.m. to 6p.m.

Saturday and Sunday:

6a.m. to 10a.m.

Patrons are further advised that the use of Royal Botanic Gardens, inclusive of the Wildflower Park, to host picnics and photoshoots (weddings, commercials etc.) has been suspended until further notice.

Patrons are reminded that all COVID19 safety protocols are to be observed. Hence you are required to:

• Stay at home if you are ill or displaying flu-like symptoms
• Wear face masks
• Practice physical distancing, maintain a distance of six (6) feet between persons of different households
• Wash hands at the wash sinks placed throughout the gardens
• Manage sneezes and coughs according to the etiquette recommended by the Ministry of Health, PAHO and WHO and
• Continue to use the Royal Botanic Gardens, inclusive of the Wildflower Park, according to the regulations posted at the North and South entrances to the Gardens and at the Wildflower Park.

Homestead Development Agreement Signed between MALF and the Rural Development Company Limited (RDC)

July 31, 2021: In an effort to encourage young persons into the agriculture sector while also providing an opportunity for young families desirous of constructing a house on land where they can be involved in agriculture, the Government has revived its Homestead Policy and will soon commence the development of State Land located at El Reposo in Sangre Grande for such use.

This was the revelation of Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries on Friday 30^th July, 2021, 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 Head Office in Chaguanas. Also present at the signing of the Agreement were the Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings, the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein and the Chairman of the Rural Development Company Limited (RDC), Ms. Patricia Alexis.

According to Minister Rambharat, the establishment of these homesteads will involve the partnership of the three (3) respective Ministries, each with key functions. To this end, he identified MALFs, role in relation to its responsibility for both agriculture and State lands; the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (RDLG) which has overarching responsibility for the RDC through which the project will be executed and; the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, the stakeholders of which, have been identified as the beneficiaries of the homestead initiative.

Minister Rambharat noted that it has been “quite a while since any Government has allowed the creation of new homestead areas in the country”. The Government’s revival of the Homestead Policy will witness the meaningful development of prime agricultural lands in the country, the first of which will be in El Reposo with another site identified in Talparo, he said.

The initiative, Minister Rambharat remarked, was based on Cabinet’s decision to revamp the Homestead Policy. Both the Agriculture Ministry and the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government along with the RDC, collaborated to establish a framework agreement to develop homestead sites in El Reposo on the East Coast and another at a larger site in the area of Talparo, he said.

The Minster added: “These sites are historically agricultural but on this occasion, we are only signing the one that is ready to start, and that is in El Reposo. We expect that in the not-too-distant future, an agreement will be signed for Talparo.”

In his remarks at the ceremony, Minister Hosein said he was heartened by the confidence placed in the RDC in the execution of the development project and elaborated that the project may commence from as early as next week. Additionally, Minister Cummings indicated that the revival of the Homestead Policy provided not only an avenue for the enhancement of the nation’s food production but an opportunity to get young people involved in agriculture. It will also provide them with a home and a location from which they can perfect their interests in the agricultural sector, he said.

Signing the Framework Agreement on behalf of MALF was the Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Susan Shurland while the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Jason Kissoon represented the RDC. The witnesses were: Senior Legal Officer (MALF), Ms. Laurelle Ralph, and Legal Counsel/ Corporate Secretary (RDC), Mr. Arshad Mohammed.

Forestry Division Commences Training for 28 New Game Wardens

On Friday July 16th, the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), commenced a theoretical and practical training exercise for some twenty-eight (28), newly recruited Game Wardens (Game Warden I). The three-week training and orientation sessions focusses on the key areas of the Conservation of Wildlife Act; Forest Act and Sawmill Act; the Public Service Regulations; Accident and Emergency Training & First Aid; Introduction to Illegal Wildlife Trade; Crime Scene Processing; Wilderness Survival; Search Warrant Planning; Handling and Capture of Wildlife; Health and Safety Legislation (including workplace and Covid-19 protocols); Veterinary Services; Self-Defense Training; the Forest Act and Offence Procedures; Interviewing and Interrogation; Case Management and Undercover Operations.

In addition, the newly installed Game Wardens will also participate in a series of field trips to various parks, wildlife and protected areas, where they would be able to identify and fully understand environmentally sensitive species, their activities and habitats.

The twenty-eight (28) Game Wardens will bolster the Ministry’s staff compliment at the Forestry Division across its six (6) Conservancies in Trinidad, including the Wildlife Section and National Parks. Their   responsibilities will include- conducting mobile, boat and foot patrols in assigned areas; arresting and prosecuting offenders; securing exhibits and arranging for forensic analysis; conducting inspections of pet shops and protected animals that are kept as pets; the issuance of summons as well as the execution of educational programmes / sensitisation activities.

Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Susan Shurland, reminded Game Wardens that the most important aspect of their job scope was the rule of law for which they had the ultimate responsibility to be most familiar with both as the guardians of the nation’s conservation efforts as well as the protectors of our wildlife and biodiversity. She said: “I am happy that you have been positioned in the Ministry at this very crucial time. This job will require you to be on the field a lot and it will be incumbent on you to be safe in your interactions with the external environment which can be quite harsh having regard to the many challenges associated with law enforcement. We depend on our wildlife for the sustenance of our ecosystem and so the quality of your performance will determine the extent to which this precious resource can be safeguarded.” Ms. Shurland also shared with the new employees, the value of: fostering healthy interpersonal relationships; diplomacy and; accountability, the latter of which she said was analogous to honesty, integrity and sound leadership.

Similarly, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Coomarie Goolabsingh, shared with the Game Warden I’s, her own expectations of them which was, quite simply, that they conduct themselves in such a manner so as to not bring the Civil Service into disrepute (Civil Service Regulation 134). To this end, she stressed on the need for them to act within the scope of their respective parameters at all times and where uncertain, to seek the guidance / instruction of the relevant supervisors / reporting officers, before taking action.

In welcoming the new Game Wardens, Conservator of Forests and Chief Game Warden, Mr. Denny Dipchansingh, lauded the efforts of MALF’s Acting Permanent Secretary (Shurland) and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Goolabsingh), whom he said had been working assiduously behind the scenes, to secure the appointments of these officers which he cited as both an unprecedented feat and as something which has no doubt, boosted the overall morale of the Forestry Division. “An entire cadre of Game Wardens has been appointed for the very first time in the Ministry and that means a lot to us at the Forestry Division”, he said.

Mr. Dipchansingh advised the new Game Wardens of their responsibilities as law enforcement officers and in particular, of their need to: practice full disclosure; have integrity and; be professional in their dealings with the public.

The training exercise concludes on Friday 6th August, 2021.

Man charged with the larceny of 100 live ducks valued at $10,000

After months of intelligence gathering and investigations, a resident of Thick Village in Siparia, was detained on Friday 9th July, 2021, by members of the Praedial Larceny Squad (Southern Division), in relation to the larceny of 100 live ducks valued at some $10,000. The ducks were stolen from a duck farm at Seebalack Branch Trace, Rochard Road, Barrackpore between 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday 26th May, 2021 and 7:00 a.m. on Thursday 27th May, 2021.

The 37-year old suspect, who was later charged on Sunday 11th July, 2021 and appeared before Magistrate Nazim Khan of the Princes Town Magistrates 2nd Court Court on Monday 12th July, 2021, pleaded not guilty and was placed on bail with surety at $30,000.00.

Another person of interest in the matter was also interviewed however, upon enquiries, it was found that there was not sufficient evidence to mount a charge for the offence of Larceny Livestock and so, he was discharged in good faith.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries commends the hard work of its Praedial Larceny Squad (Southern Division) officers, for their dedication and resilience in pursuing this matter in the interests of the farming community.