New minister meets agri groups

Newly appointed Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat is starting off his first full week in the position by meeting with key stakeholders in the sector. He said in an interview that he will he holding talks with officials the Agricultural Society of TT (ASTT), the Tableland Farmers Pineapple Association and the Sheep and Goat Farmers Association. 

The minister said he has plans to push the sector forward and wants to touch base with agricultural organizations to find out, among other things, the extent to which they use technology and modern procedures to conduct business.

Contacted for comment, spokespersons for some of the group’s Rambharat will be meeting with over the next few days had their own wish lists they wanted to share with the Minister.

Shiraz Khan, head of T&T Farmers’ Union, said he wants the new minister to address the issues of leases. Khan said many farmers are without leases—some have not received leases while others have not had their leases renewed. He said their is also need for a clear land use policy to promote agriculture, enhance food security and reduce the food import bill.

Ramash Ramsumair, chairman of the Table Pineapple Framers Association, wants to see more initiatives aimed at educating citizens to take an active role in agriculture. He said he wants to see every household involved in some level of food production as a means of reducing T&T’s high food import bill. 

He also plans to speak to the minister about declining pineapple production. Ramsumair said a few years ago 2000 acres of land under pineapple production but the figure dropped by 75 per cent over the past few years.

ASTT president Dhano Sookoo said she wants the new minister to look at realigning all of the institutions in the ministry and the sector because there are too many “square pegs in round holes.” She said urgent steps should be taken to develop the sector using modern farming techniques. 

“An aggressive drive is needed to encourage the export of local produce to fill the demand of the West Indian diaspora in North America, Europe and regional market,” Sookoo said.

Taken from Guardian.co.tt