
New Permanent Secretary (Ag.) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ms. Susan Shurland
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) is proud to welcome our new Acting Permanent Secretary Ms. Susan Shurland.
Ms. Shurland has been in the Public Service since 2006 and prior to assuming her duties at the MALF she was the Deputy Permanent Secretary (D.P.S.) at the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts for just under two (2) years.
16TH October, 2019: In his feature address to students of St. Anthony College in Diego Martin to commemorate World Food Day, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries underscored the importance of physical activities (sports), and the sustainability of home-grown food in healthy lifestyle and warned about the dangers of fake foods and food substitutes. He added, the pervasive use of chemicals in food is cause for grave concern as it pertains to a healthy diet and we must be mindful of it.
The Minister also urged persons that they should not only look at the cost and price of food but also, “who is producing it”, when are they producing it, where are they producing it and how reliable are their methods when it comes to food production?”
World Food day is observed every October 16th, and this year’s Theme is: ‘Our Actions Are Our Future: Healthy Diets for a #Zerohunger World’, and today’s activity was aimed at promoting healthy food choices.
The event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the St Anthony’s Interact Club.

Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries Senator Avinash Singh, Parliamentary Secretary and Mr. Maurice Inniss, School Principal (left) with students of St. Anthony’s College.

Left to right: Mr. Maurice Inniss, Principal of St. Anthony’s College, Elijah Sylvester, President of St. Anthony’s Interact Club, Mr. Michael Reid, Representative of National World Food Day Committee, Past District Governor and Past President of the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain, Mrs. Lara Quentrall-Thomas, Ms. Celeste Chariandy, Chief Technical Adviser, Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and United Nations (UN), Minister Clarence Rambharat, Mr. John Baptiste, President of the Central Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain and Senator Avinash Singh, Parliamentary Secretary.
October 15, 2019:- In what is seen as an historic occasion, Secondary School Student, Ms. Shanaz Mohammed was presented with her letter of appointment by Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries at a brief ceremony at the Ministry’s Corporate Headquarters in Chaguanas. Ms Mohammed is presently a student of Lakshmi Girls High School who has a special interest in Animal Welfare. She becomes the youngest member of a Cabinet-appointed Committee responsible for developing the Draft Animal Welfare Standards – a counterpart to the Bill laid in the Parliament dealing with animal health and welfare.
The fifteen (15)-member Cabinet-appointed committee is chaired by Dr. Victoria Lashley, Technical Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries. Other members include, Professor Marlon Knights, Ms. Natasha Hosein-Baksh, Mr. Kern Johnson, Ms. Solange De Souza, Mr. Nirmal Biptah, Dr. Reeza Mohammed, Ms. Monique Kellman, Ms. Nalini Dial, Ms. Jowelle De Souza, Ms. Sita Kuruvilla, Mr. Krishendath Balleram, Ms. Annette Sirju and
Mr. Darrin Carmichael.

Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (left) distributes a letter of appointment to secondary school student – Ms. Shanaz Mohammed (right) – and youngest member of a Cabinet-appointed Committee which was established to develop the draft Animal Welfare Standards. The distribution ceremony took place on Tuesday 15th October, 2019, at the Ministry’s corporate headquarters in Chaguanas.
October 01, 2019:- Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries says he will soon go to Cabinet in order “to propose some changes” to the State land legislation “to allow other entities in the country” – in addition to the Commissioner of State lands – to issue notices and enforce proceedings to have people removed from State lands. He was speaking at a Lease Letter Distribution Ceremony held on Tuesday 1st October, 2019, at the Ministry’s corporate headquarters in Chaguanas. Also present at this event was Senator Avinash Singh, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.