NOTICE OF TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SALES OFFICES
Download Public Notice – Agricultural Services Division (09.11.2020)
ADB Launches Cocoa Connector Loan
November 03, 2020:- On Tuesday 3rd October, 2020, the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) launched its “Cocoa Connector Loan – “Valuing Rich Traditions”. The Initiative is a strategic collaboration between the ADB and the Cocoa Development Company Limited of T&T (CDCTTL). The programme is specifically designed to fund value chain activities of selected farmers in the eighteen (18) cocoa clusters under the purview of the CDCTTL, and will also serve as a as a catalyst to revive the country’s cocoa industry through a loan facility arrangement with the ADB.
Speaking at the launch in Talparo, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat said, the most important thing to consider in accessing a loan is the ability to service it. As with any investment in the agriculture sector, there must be careful consideration before one makes a commitment. It involves examining current market trends, cash flow and associated risks, in addition to the issue of pricing. In this regard, he encouraged both State Agencies (ADB & CDCTTL) under the remit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, to work closely with its stakeholders in the various communities by sharing their professional knowledge. This intervention will greatly assist them in making better decisions, which will not only be financially viable but will also have long term sustainability and continued success in the industry, the Minister said.
In particular reference to the cocoa industry, Minister Rambharat alluded to multiple streams of local data which in his opinion, could not be ignored. Among those identified were the “significantly low” production levels due to the farmer’s inability to “maximize” optimally, the yields of their cocoa trees, the lack of consistency / standardisation on the processing side of the industry (namely in terms of flavour / taste) and the current, technological challenges to predict what the Trinitario seedling would produce in “a few years down the road”. With respect to the latter, he said that both the Ministry and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are presently engaged in a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and finger printing project which will assist farmers in alleviating the issue.
Also speaking at the launch were the Chairman of the ADB, Mr. Sekou Mark; Chairman of the CDCTTL, Mrs. Jacqueline Rawlins; Chief Executive Officer of the ADB, Mr. Sheivan Ramnath and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the CDCTTL, Mrs. Mala Partap.
About the ‘Cocoa Connector Loan– It targets progressive farmers who are considered by the CDCTTL to be early adopters and innovators in their rehabilitation programme, as well as micro-processors and chocolatiers who participate in the cocoa value chain. Its value propositions entail enabling borrowers to access 100% funding support and to negotiate a short to medium-term loan of up to $25K. This sum is repayable at 5% effective interest rate in Trinidad and at 4% (effective) in Tobago, over 24 – 48 months inclusive of a 6 to 8 month negotiable moratorium, by small monthly instalments and is expected to give adequate flexibility to acquire assets and meet working capital needs identified by the CDCTTL.
The loan package offers a simple 25% cash collateral option to speed loan access and reduce the cost of borrowing which may also be partially or fully sourced through the option to negotiate ADB’s Certificate of Security (COS) with its built in savings opportunity.
The initiative is to be supported by a specific CDCTTL work plan and promotional outreach campaign developed collaboratively by CDCTTL’s production team.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, fashions some cocoa beans in the image of Trinidad and Tobago, during the tour of a cocoa plantation in Talparo, following the launch of the Cocoa Connector Loan – “Valuing Rich Traditions”, on Tuesday 3rd November, 2020. Looking on is ADB’s Corporate Manager, Communications, Ms. Dawn Daniel.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat (3rd from right), is flanked by cocoa farmers and staff of ADB and CDCTTL, following the launch of the Cocoa Connector Loan – “Valuing Rich Traditions”, on Tuesday 3rd November, 2020, in Talparo.
Minister Rambharat: Most Leases Distributed in the
Nariva/Mayaro County
October 21, 2020:- Singled out for its reputation of being remarkably “responsive”, the State Land Office of the Nariva / Mayaro Agricultural County, was lauded by Senator the Honourable, Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, who also noted that “the most leases dealt with in the country” had emanated from the district.
The Minister made this revelation during his Address at a Lease Letter Distribution Ceremony which took place earlier today at the Rio Claro Demonstration Station in Ecclesville. Seven persons from the County received lease letters from the Ministry in respect to their State parcels, for an initial period of thirty (30) years.
In acknowledging the facilitating nature of the Nariva / Mayaro County’s Agricultural Officer, Ms. Florencia Beckles-Gangaram (also present at the Ceremony), Minister Rambharat said that that staff of the County’s State Land Office, held a reputation of being able to “push their files forward” and provided all the relevant information to have their farmers’ leases executed in a timely manner.
The Minister reminded the audience that the Nariva / Mayaro area has a “very proud history of farming”, having once been dubbed, “the undisputed food basket” of Trinidad and Tobago. He also praised the leadership of the Demonstration Station, whom he said, was able to achieve a considerable high level of efficiency in the workplace, despite the many challenges associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Minister Rambharat was also high in praise of the efforts of the Agricultural County (Nariva / Mayaro) Office, particularly in the area of cocoa production. He said that it has the distinction of being the only Ministry-type Station to produce beans which have ranked in the top 50 in the world; in addition, to its outstanding efforts in its support of the creation and training of the Rio Claro Cocoa Co-operative.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat (centre), is flanked by seven (7) lease letter recipients at the Rio Claro Demonstration Station in Ecclesville on Wednesday 21st October, 2020, following a brief distribution ceremony. Also present in the photo is the Nariva / Mayaro County Agricultural Officer, Ms. Florencia Beckles-Gangaram (second from left).
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat (right), receives a token of appreciation from the Nariva / Mayaro County Agricultural Officer, Ms. Florencia Beckles-Gangaram (left), following a Lease Letter Distribution Ceremony at the Rio Claro Demonstration Station in Ecclesville on Wednesday 21st October, 2020.
Giant African snail (GAS), Lissachatina fulica (previously Achatina fulica) is one of the worst invasive pests in the world. It was smuggled into Trinidad in 2008 and promptly escaped and is now wreaking havoc across most of Trinidad. Since GAS is new to the ecology of our Island most citizens are unfamiliar with its behaviour and are uncertain as to how to manage it. This factsheet deals specifically with managing GAS on farm and minimising the risk of spreading GAS from farm to farm and from producer to consumers.
