No taxes for farmers in 2016

COME January 1, 2016, farmers will be exempted from duties and taxes as the Government attempts to boost agriculture production.

There will also be a number of national competitions and awards for farmers and pupils.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert, in delivering the 2015/2016 budget yesterday, said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) generated from agriculture was only .5 per cent when compared to that of energy, which was 40 per cent.

He said the People's National Movement (PNM) Government will attempt to increase productivity in that sector. The agriculture sector was allocated $831 million, a decrease from last year's allocation of $1.328 billion.

"In pursuit of our objective for achieving food security, we will exempt from all duties and taxes various inputs into the agricultural sector, including approved chemicals, pest control, approved vehicles, approved fishing vessels and equipment . These measures will take effect from January 1, 2016," said Imbert.

“Through the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) we will reintroduce the Prime Minister's Award for the best kitchen garden in schools and also introduce a number of national competitions and awards aiming at motivating farmers to strive for excellence in agricultural production," he added.

"We must do all that we can to expand agricultural production, to reduce our reliance on imported food products. Food production must be made affordable and competitive. We must reverse decline in agriculture production and create a strong, modern, prosperous and competitive agriculture sector.

“We will do so by enhancing public sector investment, encouraging private investment in agriculture, in particular agro technology and the creation and modernisation of agri business infrastructure. We are now directing agriculture development under one unified structure—the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries, " Imbert said.

"Security of land tenure is now being afforded high priority and lands will now be delivered with access roads, drainage and irrigation systems. The Agriculture Development Bank will be adequately resourced to allow farmers readily accessible credit."

Changes coming to agriculture

Speaking to the Express shortly after Imbert's presentation, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat added to what the Finance Minister mentioned.

“We propose to increase the contribution of agriculture and fisheries to GDP, in particular contribution to household income in rural Trinidad and Tobago. A more resourced ADB and a reorganised National Agriculture Marketing and Development Corporation will be a critical part of the push. We recognise that agri-business development needs help. In many institutions set up to support agriculture and fisheries, the development component is not forgotten,“ saidRambharat.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries will assign the new board of the Agricultural Development Bank the task of moving its Business Development Unit from Henry Street, Port of Spain.

“That unit should be staffed with the expertise to support new and existing farmers in developing their projects. ADB will be asked to set a date for the opening of an Agri Business Development Centre, the first centre to be located in Central Trinidad."

The Agriculture Ministry's headquarters is soon to be relocated to Chaguanas. Shiraz Khan, president of the Trinidad Unified Farmers' Association, said he was pleased to see that recommendations made by farmers were taken into consideration.

At a meeting with Rambharat on Sunday, Khan said it was suggested that competitions be held amongst farmers and that they be exempted from taxes and duties.

Khan told the Express: "I think it (competition) would be a good stepping ground in order for us to increase our ability to produce more and we could learn from other farmers who are doing better. That will help us."

He added: "Now that that exemption is taking place, we will be happy to benefit from that. We are happy that the land issue is finally going to be dealt with. We have been clamouring for our deeds and our land issue to be settled so we could enjoy some sort of comfort."

Taken from Trinidad Express Newspaper