Trinidad’s Agriculture minister distributes Agro-Incentive grants worth $1.6m to 17 recipients

Trinidad and Tobago: The Agriculture Minister of Trinidad and Tobago – Clarence Rambharat, distributed an Agro-Incentive grant of a total amount worth $1.6m to 17 recipients.

During the distribution event at the Ministry’s Head Office in Chaguanas, Agriculture Minister stated that “The objective of the Agro-Incentive Grant, along with several other initiatives, are all aimed at making good farmers better farmers, as there are now a number of facilities in place for them to access in order to expand their enterprises to become more successful.”

The agriculture minister then added that the sector had seen a growth in its productivity levels even during the COVID-19 outbreak. He added that many farmers also got the opportunity to sell their produce at the various Farmers Markets throughout the country during the time of the outbreak.

He then also emphasized that the Ministry is working hard to address the issue of land tenure that continues to be a challenge for the nations’ farmers.

Further talking on the other issues of Agro-Processing, the agriculture minister highlighted the recently completed project – Brechin Castle Packing House. This project will be placed in the hands of the private sector in approximately six months after it has been outfitted.

Following the statement, he added, PriceSmart would soon be establishing their Regional Distribution Centre at the Phoenix Park Estate at Point Lisas, where they will be packaging and distributing agricultural produce for their stores. This will provide the farmers of the nation with another opportunity to market their produce.

Minister Rambharat said Green Houses in this country has not generated the type of impact which he had hoped given the existing climatic conditions, pest and disease management and the demand from supermarkets and restaurants for a consistent supply of commodities which can only be achieved in a controlled environment.

In this regard, he stated that the government will soon be making an investment in greenhouses, making it available only to qualified persons who have the experience, expertise and the ability to manage them. The proposed site for these greenhouses will be at the St. Augustine Nurseries.