Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Launches Public Fruit & Food Orchards Initiative

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) today officially launched the Public Fruit & Food Orchards Initiative at Palmiste Park, San Fernando, as part of efforts to expand local food production, increase the productive use of public spaces and bring agriculture closer to communities.

Delivering the feature address, Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the initiative represents a practical approach to strengthening food security by creating additional opportunities for food production beyond traditional agricultural spaces.

“Today, we are not simply planting trees. We are planting an idea, an idea that the spaces around us can become productive spaces, and that food security is not only about what happens on a farm, but also about what happens within our communities,” Minister Ratiram stated.

The initiative will support the transformation of underutilized public spaces into productive food-producing areas, while creating opportunities for community participation, agricultural education and environmental stewardship.

Each orchard is expected to produce at least 500 kilograms of fruits and food annually, engage approximately 200 community members in planting and maintenance activities, and attract at least 1,000 visitors annually.

The initiative also incorporates a digital and data-driven component through the Ministry’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Unit. Each orchard location will be mapped and spatially documented to support monitoring, management and future planning.

Also delivering remarks at the launch were Alderman Gowtan Maharaj, Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation; Mr. Ameer Roopnarinesingh, Conservator of Forests, MAF; Mr. Raven Ramsawak, Councillor for Palmiste/Hermitage; Dr. Tricia Meville, Head of the GIS Unit, MAF; Mr. Rajesh Lall, Chief Executive Officer of the Cocoa Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited; and Mr. Joe Sirju, Office Manager for the Oropouche East Constituency Office and a resident of the Palmiste community.

The Public Fruit & Food Orchards Initiative is expected to provide additional opportunities for residents to participate in food production while supporting greater awareness of horticulture, nutrition, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries remains committed to advancing innovative, sustainable and data-driven approaches to agricultural development, while strengthening domestic food production and national food and nutrition security.

 

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