November 11, 2025:- Centeno, Trinidad – The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through its Research Division, today hosted its second Rice Seed Distribution Ceremony at the Division’s Centeno compound as part of Government’s continued efforts to revitalise the local rice industry and strengthen national food security.
Delivering the feature address at the event, Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to boosting domestic rice production, reducing import dependence, and supporting farmers through research-driven innovation and targeted assistance.
A total of thirty-five (35) farmers from across Trinidad will receive certified, high-yielding rice seeds developed through the Ministry’s partnership with the Guyana Rice Development Board. The improved seed varieties are designed to enhance productivity, resilience, and profitability within the local rice subsector.
Minister Ratiram noted that the initiative aligns with the Government’s broader agenda to strengthen the agri-food value chain.
“Rice is not just a crop; it is a pillar of our food security. By investing in quality seed distribution, land preparation support, and research, we are ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago can feed itself with confidence,” the Minister stated.
The Minister further emphasised the Ministry’s ongoing work to address the infrastructural and technical needs of rice farmers, including drainage and irrigation upgrades, mechanisation assistance, and extension support. He underscored that these actions form part of a holistic plan to restore rice production as a viable and competitive agricultural enterprise.
The Rice Seed Distribution Program represents one of several initiatives currently being implemented by the Ministry to empower farmers, enhance productivity, and promote agricultural resilience throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
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September 21st, 2023:- The Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Fisheries (MALF) has deployed its resources to facilitate irrigation for 500-acres of recently planted rice at the Caroni Rice Project. The Caroni Rice Project is situated on former Caroni 1975 Ltd’s Rice Production Lands in Caroni and comprises approximately 800 acres of land ideally suited for lowland flooded rice production. Approximately 20 rice farmers currently cultivate close to 600 acres of rice in the area.
Over the last 24 hours, MALF’s Engineering Unit assisted in bringing much-needed relief to farmers cultivating rice in the project. Director (Ag.) of MALF’s Engineering Unit, Rodney Ramkeessoon, says the interventions were necessary and would bring much-needed relief to the Caroni rice project. “Technical Officers from the Ministry met with the farmers earlier this week. We understood the urgency of the matter and mobilized resources to implement solutions.”
Ramkeessoon described the situation as fluid and said his Unit would continue to monitor the situation and adjustments would be made accordingly. “The equipment mobilized will stay on site for two weeks, and we will continue to monitor the impact of the measures implemented. Field conditions will be monitored and adjustments made accordingly based on the stage of rice growth coupled with the prevailing weather conditions.”
Richard Singh, one of the rice farmers cultivating rice on lands at the project, thanked the Ministry for its quick response, saying it was much needed. “The Ministry agreed to assist the farmers, and because of that intervention, you see the equipment on the next side; we now have workers coming to do planting since the Ministry gave us water, we called back all workers.”
Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, thanked all teams involved in the effort and said the Ministry will continue to work with all stakeholders to find a tangible solution during this period.
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