Horticultural Services Division Receives Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Equipment from IICA

13^th December, 2019: At a Handing- Over Ceremony earlier today at the Orientation Center, Royal Botanical Gardens in Port of Spain the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) presented the Horticultural Services Division (HSD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries with several pieces of specialize equipment which will assist the Division in their pre and post- risk management disaster response efforts.

The items donated by IICA were two (2) Chain Saws, Rope, Harness and Spikes and a Resistograph (used for measuring the health of the tree) at an estimated cost of $9,000.00 USD.

IICA Representative to Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Diana Francis, lauded the Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat for answering IICA’s call to partner with them on this initiative, as this fits directly into Agricultural Disaster Risk Management (ADRM) Plan of the Ministry.

The Minister in his remarks thanked IICA for their continued support and highlighted the importance of managing and by extension mitigating any impending risks. He added, that this equipment couldn’t come at a better time for the HSD as it will definitely assist the division in their overall efforts. He said that the Horticultural Services Division will definitely be making good use of the equipment from as early as tomorrow (Saturday 14^th December, 2019).

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the audience were given a demonstration on the use of the Resistograph. Representatives of Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) indicated that Trinidad and Tobago is the first country in the Caribbean to use this type of equipment. Also in attendance at today’s event were Ms. Susan Shurland, Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.

 

 

 

Agriculture Minister: More Capital Investment Needed for T&T’s Cocoa Industry

December 12, 2019:- While the cocoa sector represented a model for the transformation of agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago; the failure of its practitioners to secure adequate investment and move from primary production to the realms of agro-processing, packaging and branding, remained a major challenge for the industry, so said the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat.

The Agriculture Minister made these remarks as he addressed Stakeholders at the launch of the Cocoa Industry Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Platform at the CARIRI Centre for Enterprise Development in Freeport on Wednesday 11^th December 2019. The event was hosted by the Cocoa Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (CDCTTL) in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA).

He added that the biggest issue with cocoa in T&T now is this issue with capital, because our fine flavour cocoa status was neither an easy nor permanent achievement, but one which involved an ongoing and evolving process. He said: “To lift the sector we must have an infusion of capital and we must have people who are interested in investing in the development of the sector.” This support according to Minister Rambharat,   extends to individuals who in their routine grocery shopping have made a conscientious decision to support what is grown and produced here.

The Minister also made an analogy from an agricultural perspective when he compared the challenges faced by the cocoa industry to the emergence of a looming cannabis industry in Trinidad and Tobago. He said, like cocoa, it will also require the infusion of investment capital, technology; the necessary research into the breeding of varieties, optimal market access and opportunities for agro-processing. This activity he pronounced, requires a considerable amount of local support and investment capital. Such a challenge has always plagued this country, as it does not have a history of being able to commercialize primary agricultural production.

As part of the event’s proceedings awards were presented to outstanding local cocoa farmers who distinguished themselves on the world stage at the 2019 International Cocoa Awards. Amongst them were the Top 20 recipients, Martin and Jacqueline Matthew of Tamana and; Leroy and Geeta Peters of Grande Riviere; in addition to the Top 50 recipients, Michael and Jacinta Milne of Talparo.

Also in attendance at the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Platform were the Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), Ms. Susan Shurland and the Acting Director, Research Division (MALF), Ms. Albada Beekham.

Other notable speakers on the day were CDCTTL Chairman, Mr. Winston Rudder; IICA Representative in Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Diana Francis; Technical Specialist, Bioeconomy Programme (IICA), Ms. Gabriela Quiroga Gilardoni; President of the Montserrat Cocoa Farmers Co-operative, Mr. Christopher Paul; Chief Executive Officer of the CDCTTL, Mr. Leon Granger; Marketing Manager (CDCTTL), Ms. Gabriella Gonzales; International Agribusiness Specialist (IICA), Mr. Allister Glean; Agribusiness Specialist (IICA), Mr. Richard Rampersaud and Chief Product Officer of AgUnity in Australia, Mr. Keith Nielsen.

 

More Capital Investment Needed for T&T’s Cocoa Industry

Public Discussion on Good Agriculture Practices Standard

 

4th December, 2019: The need for Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) was identified by National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) as essential in building and assuring food safety and quality for primary production of fresh fruits and vegetables. Compliance with the requirements for GAP will not only assure consumer health and safety but will also enhance the international reputation of Trinidad and Tobago for producing good quality and safe fruits and vegetables. This can subsequently have a positive impact on the trade and competitiveness of the country’s primary agricultural products.
It is therefore incumbent on the owners of farms and other types of primary food establishments to demonstrate leadership and commitment with respect to the establishment, implementation and maintenance of good agricultural practices.

Speaking at the Public Stakeholder Forum on the Draft National Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Standard jointly hosted by NAMDEVCO and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), Mrs. Carla Marcelle -Boyce, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries who delivered the feature address on behalf of the Minister Clarence Rambharat said, a modern and competitive agricultural sector is one of the main pillars of diversification and economic growth in Trinidad and Tobago. The sector success depends primarily on its ability to access both regional and international markets through adherence to emerging agricultural health and food safety requirements.
She said that over the years, countries have become stringent when it comes to safety and quality of food that it produced and even more so of food that is imported; and as such, there are several regulatory systems that are currently place that provides checks and balance protection for public health and food safety. This she says, should not be seen as a technical barrier to trade but should be viewed from the angle of protection of public health and safety and the prevention of foodborne illnesses.

Mrs. Marcelle- Boyce also noted that there was tremendous work to be done in order to improve the food control system in this country and she lauded NAMDEVCOs effort who she cited as a “champion” for the development and implementation of good agricultural practices. She urged all stakeholders to treat agricultural health and food safety as “everyone’s business”, and directed her focus to the importance of what happens on the farms as it has the propensity to affect both the safety and quality of products along the value chain.

Speakers at the forum which took place on Wednesday 4th December, 2019 at the Couva/Point Lisa Chamber of Commerce also included, NAMDEVCOs Chairman Mr. Dennis Ramdeen, Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standard, Mr. Lawford Dupres, Inter – American Institute for Cooperation In Agriculture (IICA) Representative to Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Diana Francis, CEO of NAMDEVO, Mrs. Nirmala Debysingh-Persad and Chief Chemist of the Food and Health Division, Ministry of Health, Mr. Farz Khan.

This standard is intended to form the basis for the National GAP (TTGAP) Certification Programme to be implemented by NAMDEVCO. It has been issued for public comment with a deadline by end of January 2020.
For more information on the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Standard, please contact the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) at email: contact@namdevco.com.

 

 

Public Discussion on Good Agriculture Practices Standard

Agriculture Officers on Micro-Technique Training in Cassava Planting

 

December 02, 2019: Members of staff of the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) participated in a training session on methodologies and strategies for rapid multiplication of cassava.

The workshop was facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aimed at making the cassava industry a sustainable one. The day’s training was divided into three (3) phases. The first phase highlighted the use of imported tissue culture in the form of planting material. This process will ensure that the cassava crops will be high yielding, adaptable to field conditions, rich in starch content and above all good cooking quality.

The second phase showed the results from this new process used at farmer field schools at three (3) locations, Central, South and Tobago, where the new variety was planted alongside the local variety and they were both compared on several features including growth and yield.

In the final session, the extension officers were trained on the various techniques in multiplying cassava planting material and by extension, the multiplication and distribution of planting material to farmers.

Overall, twenty-six (26) Extension Officers from throughout the country participated in the session on the usage of micro-techniques in cassava planting at the Craignish Demonstration Station, Princes Town on Friday 29th November, 2019.

Facilitators for the workshop were Rishi Mohansingh, Entomologist, (Ag.), and Nigel Ramkhellawan, Agricultural Officer I.

Agriculture Officers on Micro-Technique Training in Cassava Planting

Agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago to Benefit from
Colombia as part of South-South Co-operation

22nd November, 2019:

As part of the Caribbean Basin and South-South Co-operation Project, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) was afforded an opportunity to participate in a training programme in Colombia on risk management and climate change adaptation, with an emphasis on water management. A four (4) member team from MALF visited the Republic of Colombia during the period October 7-11, 2019.

The major highlights of the visit were presented at the MALF Head Office to Her Excellency Martha Cecila Pinilla- Perdomo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Ms. Heidi Cortes Acosto, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia in Trinidad and Tobago, along with officials of the MALF.

The T&T mission attended several interactive workshops in Colombia, including, Rain Water Harvesting Approaches and Alternatives; Crop Protection Diagnostics and Surveillance; Seeds Gene Bank- [Genetic Resources Programme] and on Digital Agriculture, Information Technology and the use of Drones.

At the conclusion of the workshops, future bi-lateral arrangements were agreed upon by both countries. Some areas of interest expressed were:

• Water and Waste Water Management, Storage and Conservation Strategies with a focus on Rain Water Harvesting and Drip Irrigation Techniques
• Vertical Farming Systems as alternative cultivation methods due to Land Degradation
• Protected Agriculture Systems including Green House and Shade House, to mitigate against extreme weather conditions such as foods and drought
• Cultivation, Harvesting, Post- Harvest Techniques, Storage Methods and Research in Livestock Forage for use as Animal Feed with Focus on Small Ruminants
• Digital Agriculture and Mobile Technology with focus on the use of Drones
• Renewable Energy Systems in Agriculture with focus on Solar Energy
• Mechanical Harvesting Systems for Root Crops

As part of the future bi-lateral arrangements, it was also proposed that a team from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Colombia visit this country in 2020.

 

Agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago to Benefit from Colombia as part of South-South Co-operation