Run the Route, Plant the Future! | Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

This morning, Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, joined participants at the Sole to Soil 5K in Chaguaramas, an event promoting fitness, environmental sustainability and a greener Trinidad and Tobago.

In keeping with the Ministry’s Public Fruit and Food Orchards Initiative, participants were invited to plant mango and poui trees at Morne Catherine following the run, transforming strides into meaningful action for a greener future.

Special thanks to event organizers Eco-Titans and Strictly FX, the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) for its support, and title sponsor Dasani for making this initiative possible.

Running for health. Planting for tomorrow. Growing a greener Trinidad and Tobago!

Through the National Agricultural Training Initiative (NATI), participants continue to benefit from free training opportunities designed to build practical skills and expand their knowledge.

This week, participants are taking part in a Landscape Management course, gaining practical experience and developing skills in the care, maintenance and management of landscaped spaces.

NATI continues to offer a range of courses, providing participants with opportunities to learn new skills, enhance their knowledge and explore different areas of agriculture.

Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, met with representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) as part of ongoing engagement aimed at strengthening partnerships and advancing shared priorities under the Caribbean Multi-Country Strategic Plan (MCSP) 2027–2031.

The engagement underscored the importance of continued collaboration, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships in supporting national development priorities and advancing a more resilient and sustainable food system.

The Ministry continues to emphasize strategic cooperation and partnerships that support the long-term development of Trinidad and Tobago’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Ready to level up your agricultural game? The National Agricultural Training Initiative (NATI) is back with a new cohort of classes designed to help you gain practical skills, explore new opportunities and turn your agricultural goals into action.

Whether you’re into livestock, crop production or taking local produce to international markets, there’s a class for you.

Check out the lineup and claim your spot!

Rabbit Production
Date: October 6–8, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Gasparillo Surprise Pavilion, Surprise Avenue, Bonne Aventure
Register here: https://forms.gle/KoS5vz6rwYCZpzyLA

A Practical Guide to Exporting Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Date: October 8–9, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Live Online Sessions via Microsoft Teams
Register here: https://forms.gle/1g5zUrMppHpwveqc6

Coconut Production
Date: October 7–8, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Live Online Sessions via Microsoft Teams
Register here: https://forms.gle/gSY4C1MDLDZ16h557

Sheep and Goat Production
Date: October 7–9, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: La Brea Community Centre, Corner of Pier Road and Point Sable Road, Point D’Or
Register here: https://forms.gle/j1te9mHqBFgugMDQA

Your growth starts with one class. Sign up today!

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, continued high-level bilateral engagements at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2026 in Jamaica, meeting with René Orellana Halkyer, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to strengthen strategic partnerships, deepen technical cooperation and advance Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural development priorities.

Also in attendance were Gillian Smith, FAO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago (ad interim); Pablo Rabczuk, Senior Programme Officer, FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Roberto Telleria, Policy Officer, FAO Sub-Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Building our nation’s food security, one course at a time.

From nutrition and brooding management to housing and biosecurity protocols, participants are learning the essential skills to successfully contribute to the agricultural sector through the Broiler and Layer Production training course under the National Agricultural Training Initiative (NATI).

Through these accessible training opportunities, MAF continues to support skills development and build capacity towards creating more resilient food systems.

Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, is participating in and addressing the One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) – Agriculture.

The meeting brings together CARICOM Ministers responsible for Agriculture to deliberate on matters of regional importance and advance collaborative efforts towards strengthening the agricultural sector.

Minister Ratiram’s participation underscores Trinidad and Tobago’s continued commitment to regional cooperation and food and nutrition security.

Participants recently took part in the National Agricultural Training Initiative (NATI) Fundamentals of a Small Agribusiness training course at the Maloney Regional Complex.

From understanding the basics of running a business to recognising opportunities within agriculture, the course provided participants with practical knowledge to help move an idea from concept to opportunity.

By strengthening entrepreneurial and business skills alongside agricultural knowledge, NATI continues to support capacity building and empower participants to explore opportunities within Trinidad and Tobago’s growing agribusiness sector.

From dragonfruit production to compost making and winemaking, expand your knowledge and explore new possibilities in agriculture and agro-processing.

NATI – Dragonfruit Production Registration Date: 23rd & 25th September 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Live Online Sessions via Microsoft Teams
Link – https://forms.gle/8mENjXmLn93Y9uui6

NATI – Compost Making RegistrationDate: 22nd & 23rd September 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Sugarcane Feeds Centre, Pokhor Road, Longdenville
Link – https://forms.gle/P8vfWkKcCvadxmJ76

NATI – Introduction to Winemaking Registration Date: 22nd & 23rd September 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Bunsee Trace Community Centre, Bunsee Trace, Penal
Link – https://forms.gle/jQ53eMw3U6avHuV2A

Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, today welcomed Assembly Member Wane Clarke, Secretary of Food Security, Tobago House of Assembly, and senior officials from the Division of Food Security, Tobago, for discussions to advance agriculture, food production, and food security across Trinidad and Tobago.

The engagement brought together leadership and technical expertise across food production, fisheries, food technology, marketing and business development, with discussions focused on strengthening coordination, advancing shared priorities and identifying opportunities for greater collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago.

Also participating were Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Denny Dipchansingh and Ministerial Advisor Dr. Anil Ramnanan.

The Tobago delegation comprised:

Mr. Julien Skeete – Administrator, Division of Food Security
Ms. Certica Williams-Orr – Advisor to the Secretary
Ms. Kieshel Percy – Technical Officer, Department of Agriculture
Mr. Garth Ottley – Director, Marine Resources and Fisheries
Mrs. Ijeoma De Gale-Harry – Director, Marketing and Business Development
Mrs. Tamika Seales-Mansano – Director, Food Crop Production
Mrs. Melissa Agbeko-Walker – Food Technologist

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries continues to engage strategic partners across the country to strengthen institutional coordination and advance practical solutions for a more resilient national food system.

Participants of the National Agricultural Training Initiative (NATI) Home Gardening Course are putting theory into practice during a practical session at the Waterloo Community Centre.

Through this course, participants are gaining hands on knowledge and practical skills to establish and maintain their own home gardens, encouraging food production, self sufficiency and healthier communities.

From learning the fundamentals to getting their hands in the soil, participants are building the skills needed to grow fresh produce right at home.

Looking to sharpen your agricultural knowledge or add a new skill to your toolkit?

The National Agricultural Training Initiative (NATI) has another set of training opportunities available for registration, covering crop production, soil health, plant nutrition, landscape management and digital literacy for farmers.

AVOCADO PRODUCTION
16 & 17 September | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
St. Augustine South Community Centre
Register: https://forms.gle/mc9XHAcnpA3ENfyc7

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
17, 18 & 22 September | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Farmers Training Centre, Centeno
Register: https://forms.gle/DigVHNSQJUHmz5sG7

DIGITAL LITERACY FOR FARMERS
17 & 18 September | 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Online via Microsoft Teams
Register: https://forms.gle/HMFHiJEDK5NAsa4Y8

SOIL HEALTH & PLANT NUTRITION
17 & 18 September | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Jacob Hill Activity Centre, Wallerfield
Register: https://forms.gle/yHmHaciGLfaj3YdF9

DASHEEN & DASHEEN LEAF PRODUCTION
18 September | 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Online via Microsoft Teams
Register: https://forms.gle/q8js27ajudTsT5z5A