Sookoo wants agri-focused budget

President of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ASTT) Dhano Sookoo says the agriculture sector was “stagnated” under former food production minister Devant Maharaj and she would be looking forward to seeing more focus placed on infrastructure and initiatives for farmers in the 2016 budget.
Sookoo was speaking on CCN TV6's Morning Edition yesterday.
“There was absolutely no progress,” Sookoo said, referring to the agriculture sector from 2012 to 2015.
“In fact, what we saw happening in those years was the dismantling of institutions like the cocoa and coffee industry board and the Trinidad and Tobago Agri-business Association.”
Sookoo said there were also failed attempts to dismantle the ASTT.
She commended new Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat for meeting with the organisation on several occasions since being elected, to hear and discuss farmers' concerns.
“The conversations we have been having thus far have indicated to us that he is ready and willing to bring that change to the agricultural sector.”
Sookoo said the regularisation of land for farmers was one of the issues she would like to see addressed.
She said talks were held with the former administration pertaining to the issuing of licences for land use. However, she said, this was not sufficient.
“How effective is that licence with regards to a farmer sustaining his production and his business activity? Because you cannot use the licence to go to the Agricultural Development Bank or any other financial institution to access credit facilities to improve technology on your farm.”
Sookoo said she would also like climate change to be addressed in the budget.
“We have a very serious challenge with the climate change issue, so we want to see some strong initiatives by this Government to address climate change. 
“We want to see some strong policies coming out of this budget,” she said.

Taken from Trinidad Express