June 18, 2025:-  Chaguanas, Trinidad – Yesterday (June 17, 2025), Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, along with the Honourable Saddam Hosein, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, distributed letters of appointment to a freshly installed Board of Directors of the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD).

 

The EMBD, a government-owned entity under the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and productivity of land development and management in Trinidad and Tobago. The EMBD is responsible for managing both residential and agricultural lands, and aims to ensure sustainable land use practices that contribute to the nation’s food security.

 

The newly appointed Board of Directors includes:

• Mr. Rahendra Seemungal – Director
• Mr. Lester S. Chariah – Director
• Mr. Darren Garner – Director (who will receive his letter of appointment at a subsequent date)

 

Together, these board members bring a strong complement of experience and proficiency across key sectors aligned with the EMBD’s expanding mandate. As custodians of the EMBD’s development agenda, the Board will be instrumental in shaping policy, guiding land management initiatives, and advancing sustainable land use practices in support of national food security and socio-economic development.

 

Expressing his confidence in the newly appointed board, Minister Ratiram stated, “The appointment of the new EMBD Board of Directors represents a vital step in advancing the Government’s agenda for sustainable land management and agricultural development. I am confident that this team’s collective expertise and vision will strengthen the EMBD’s capacity to deliver on its mandate and positively impact communities across Trinidad and Tobago.”

 

Following the appointment, Minister Ratiram, together with Minister Hosein and other senior Ministry officials, engaged the new Board of Directors in strategic discussions aimed at enhancing the function of the EMBD in delivering its mandate.

 

The Ministry remains committed to advancing the EMBD as a leading agency, working collaboratively with key state entities to deliver professional, transparent, and ethical services for the benefit of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

 

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May 22, 2025:-  The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries proudly hosted a meaningful handover ceremony on May 21, 2025 to officially receive a generous gift of rice and edible oil from the Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. (HAFED), India’s largest apex agricultural cooperative.

 

The symbolic gesture, facilitated through the High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago, underscores the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity. The donation, comprising premium basmati and parboiled rice as well as sunflower and mustard oil, is intended for distribution to vulnerable and needy families across Trinidad and Tobago.

 

The donation was formally handed over by His Excellency Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, High Commissioner of India, to Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries. Also in attendance were Mr. Wilfred Nicholas Morris, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs; Dr. Colin Neil Gosine, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism; along with senior officials and representatives from various Ministries, agencies, and the diplomatic corps.

 

The Ministry wishes to acknowledge the critical support of the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), which is generously storing the donated items until distribution to the public can be facilitated.

 

In delivering the feature address at the event, Minister Ratiram stated: “This donation represents more than a gesture of goodwill. It reflects the enduring strength of India’s cooperative institutions and their willingness to support global partners in collaborative development.”

 

India, as the world’s largest exporter of rice and a major producer of edible oils such as mustard, continues to lead in agricultural innovation and food production. This gift also represents an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties and explore further avenues of collaboration in agro-processing, trade, and food security.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries extends its sincere gratitude to the Government and people of India, the High Commission, and HAFED for this timely and meaningful contribution to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

 

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Photo caption: His Excellency Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, High Commissioner of India (LEFT), officially hands over gift of rice and edible cooking oil to Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (RIGHT)