Confusion over cost of agrochemicals

Managing director of Caribbean Chemicals Joe Pires is accusing Finance Minister Colm Imbert of creating problems for local chemical importers by announcing the Government’s proposal to make approved chemicals and pesticides tax and duty exempt, beginning next January.

Pires said Imbert’s statement had led farmers to query chemical importers as to how much they were going to reduce the cost of chemicals, which they sold to agricultural shops.

Pires said he became perplexed and confused by Imbert’s announcement since duties and VAT on all agricultural chemicals were waived years ago.

“His (Imbert’s) statement has created a lot of problems for companies like us that import chemicals. Now farmers are asking us what is our new pricing and when are the prices coming down. But there has never been any duties or VAT on agriculture chemicals. I don’t know what the minister is talking about.”

In presenting the budget, Imbert stated that he would exempt from all duties and taxes inputs into the agricultural sector, including approved chemicals, pest control, approved vehicles, approved fishing vessels and equipment, which will take effect on January 1, 2016.

Caribbean Chemicals is one of the country’s largest chemical importers.

Manager of Carlsen Chemicals Ltd Kamal Hakim also admitted that farmers called his Carapichaima business to find out “what is going to happen now.”

Hakim said as long as he could remember there had been no duty and VAT on agriculture chemicals that came into Trinidad.

“That is the law.”

Pires said when VAT was introduced over 20 years ago by the then National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) administration “no VAT was put on agriculture chemicals. The government at the time realised that the cost of chemicals to the farmer would have amounted to 60 per cent of their inputs and labour. They needed to keep food prices down in order for farmers to be competitive.” 

In the coming days, Pires said, chemical importers would issue a statement to Imbert to clear the air on the matter.

“We are hoping that this issue will be addressed,” Pires said, “because it’s causing a lot of confusion with the importers.”

Price gouging

Following the budget, Pires said, he also heard that some agricultural shops had begun to increase the prices of chemicals.

Pires accused the shops of price gouging and “trying to make a fast buck” at a time when the country was facing a downturn in the economy and citizens were asked to tighten their belts.

Plum Mitan rice farmer Hansraj Ramlal said from Tuesday, a 110-pound bag of urea which he originally paid $200 for had increased to $225.

Ramlal said a three-litre bottle of Amine, a selective weedicide, which he uses on his 300-acre farm, had skyrocketed from $125 to $145.

Pires said these businessmen had no reason to increase their prices since chemical companies would deliver goods to their shops when an order was placed.

He said the owners were capitalising on the hike in the price of gasoline, which moved from $2.70 to $3.11 per litre, and of diesel, which increased from $1.50 to $1.73, and taking advantage of farmers.

“This is price gouging. This should not be happening. In most cases we deliver to the shops. We have not raised the prices of our chemicals even though fuel has gone up. And we have no intention of raising our prices. So why should they raise theirs?” Pires said he was willing to work with Imbert to help improve the agriculture sector.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources Avinash Singh said Government was considering importing some environmentally safe chemicals that are already on the approved list by Customs and Excise Division.

Singh said other countries that sold these chemicals imposed duties and taxes, which Imbert would waive for the buyers and importers.

Taken from Guardian Trinidad and Tobago

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

2015 MSU Small Ruminant Health Symposium

Veterinarians, animal health professionals, and small ruminant owners and producers are encouraged to attend the symposium to hear lectures and panels led by faculty and professionals of small ruminant health.

Small Ruminants play an important role in Michigan. According to the National Agriculture Statistics Service as of January 1, 2015, Michigan had 27,000 head of goats and 76,000 head of sheep. This ranks Michigan 19th in the country when looking at the value of small ruminant production. The health and well-being of goats and sheep is very important to maintain this production.

On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine will host the MSU Small Ruminant Health Symposium. Veterinarians, animal health professionals, and small ruminant owners and producers are encouraged to attend the symposium to hear lectures and panels led by faculty and professionals of small ruminant health.

Speakers include Dr. Mary Smith from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Brian Larsen from JG Consulting Services, Dr. Jennifer Roberts from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Dalen Agnew from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Richard Ehrhardt from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. Topics include zoonotic diseases, sheep scrapie, obstetrics and neonatal care, male breeding soundness exams, necropsy, and fecal egg counting. A panel discussion will conclude the sessions in the afternoon.

To read more, 2015 MSU Small Ruminant Health Symposium

Africa: 'Youth Dividend' Will Help Africa Produce Food and Jobs

The 2015 Africa Agriculture Status report, entitled Youth in Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, has been launched at the African Green Revolution Forum in Lusaka.

According to the report there are almost 200 million people aged between 15 and 24 on the continent, of whom 10 million enter the labour market every year. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity to encourage young people to drive growth by engaging in entrepreneurship - by producing food but also in the research, processing, packaging and retail sectors.

Already, African countries spend more than U.S. $60 billion on food imports each year. And the World Bank predicts that by 2030 an increase in incomes in major cities could generate consumer demand for food products in the region of U.S. $1 trillion.

This offers a massive opportunity for African producers. If we are to take full advantage of it, says Agnes Kalibata, the president of The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), entrepreneurship is vital.

"African 'agri-preneurs' can own that market," she says, "if we tap the two assets that should be an unbeatable combination: the world's largest population of young people, and the world's largest holdings of uncultivated arable land".

About 65 percent of Africa's labour force is employed in the agricultural sector but urgent challenges need to be addressed in order to meet consumer demand. These include: a poorly defined land rights tenure system, limited access to finance, insufficient quality farm imputs, limited access to agri-technology, a lack of entrepreneurial training and a lack of infrastructure.

Among recommendations made in the report by contributors:

"It's really time to strengthen the use of ICT in agriculture, all over Africa. So we recommend that countries put together strategies to strengthen ICT use in all the sectors from pre-production, production and marketing," says Ken Lohento, programme coordinator at the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, an international non-profit set up under an agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries and the European Union.

"This is critical," he adds, "in order to facilitate access for agricultural entrepreneurs especially in rural areas. We need shared spaces where people can access ICTs in rural areas, and we need to reduce the cost of usage, and more infrastructure in rural areas."

To read more, All Africa

Chamber’s 2016 Business Awards launched

The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture launched the 2016 St. Lucia Business Awards on Wednesday September 30 2015. 2016 will mark the 7th Anniversary of the Award ceremony, in the current series of the private sector premier awards, which celebrates business excellence in St. Lucia. The Chamber is very pleased to once again host the Award Ceremony as the grand finale event in St. Lucia’s Nobel Laureate Week.

In her remarks committee chair Dr. Charmaine Gardner highlighted that the goal of the Saint Lucia Business Awards continues to be, rewarding and celebrating top performing companies within Saint Lucia’s private sector. The Awards have brought much prestige and attention to the many winners and nominees over the years, testament to the high regard the awards and its independent adjudication process are held by all.

Scheduled for January 23rd the 2016 awards ceremony will continue to reward and celebrate top performing companies within Saint Lucia’s private sector. The St. Lucia Business Awards continues to demonstrate that size is no deterrent to excellence as the St. Lucia Business Awards focuses on celebrating excellence in our Business Community.

This year there will be no additional awards introduced and maintains the fourteen award categories as:

1. Prime Ministers Award for Innovation

2. Award for Service Excellence

3. Entrepreneur of the Year Award

4. Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

5. Business of the Year Award

6. Exporter of the Year Award Goods

7. Exporter of the Year Services

8. Award for Excellence in Human Resource Development

9. Award for Marketing Excellence

10. Award for Corporate Leadership

11. Award for Corporate Social Responsibility

12. Green Award

13. Idea of the Year Award

14. Ease of Doing Business Award

Applications for the St. Lucia Business Awards are available on the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce’s website www.stluciachamber.org. Businesses have eight weeks, within which their submissions can be made as the deadline is November 26th 2015. Once submitted the nominees will be announced mid-December and the St. Lucia Business Awards will take place on Saturday January 23rd, 2016.

Taken from St. Lucia Times

Appeal: Ban the sale of wildmeat

ALTHOUGH, the hunting season is officially open, the Papa Bois Conservation is asking that there be a ban on the sale of all wildmeat.

Marc De Verteuil, founder and director of the Conservation said commercial hunting was not sustainable and the wildmeat trade added to illegal activity.

De Verteuil said it was no surprise that the ban was lifted after two years but the moratorium was to be used for a fully comprehensive wildlife survey.

“I am not opposed to hunting but I am opposed to hunting without limits, without management, " he said.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat had said on average 18,000 to 20,000 hunting licenses are bought annually.

De Verteuil said: "The results of that survey were to be used to formulation of a scientifically managed hunt. That survey is not complete, so there can be no scientifically managed hunt. It is irresponsible to open the hunting season without knowing the status of wildlife. We live in an island that is subject to heavy development. Wildlife constantly loses ground to quarries, agriculture and housing. Additionally there is wide scale poaching."

He said: "The Minister (of Agriculture) said that some hunter household earn $60,000 per year from hunting. One thing we heard from hunting consultations is that there is a widespread consensus that commercial hunting is unsustainable. I would like to hear the minister ban the sale of wild meat.

"How do these commercial hunters support themselves during the seven months of the year that hunting is closed?" he asked.

De Verteuil added: "The reality is that a lot of wild meat gets imported from Venezuela, illegally. Allowing commercial hunting allows this cross border trade to flourish. Venezuelan wildlife can be sold openly in Trinidad and Tobago under the guise of being locally caught. The wildmeat trade is linked to drug smuggling, weapons smuggling and human trafficking. They all use the same boats so we really do not want to encourage this illegal activity."

He said: " It is unsustainable that in the year 2015 a small island state like Trinidad and Tobago has a near unregulated hunting season with little enforcement. We are blessed with abundant biodiversity but if we continue to take a laid back approach to its management we will lose it.”

Taken from Trinidad Express

Agriculture Ministry relocating to central Trinidad

The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce is welcoming the move by the Government to locate the Ministry of Agriculture in Chaguanas and hopes that more ministries will be relocated to central and south Trinidad.

The move was disclosed in a radio interview by Prime Minister Dr keith Rowley on Wednesday.

Rowley said the Chaguanas building earmarked by the previous People’s Partnership administration for use by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training will now house the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.

The Chamber stated that for years, it has been lobbying for greater diversification of the country’s economy, particularly in the area of agriculture.

The Chamber said that it is looking forward to working with the new Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat to help develop the industry, “particularly at a time when we will be facing many economic challenges brought on by the decline in oil and gas prices”, said the Chamber.

The Chamber said that Chaguanas is “a prime area for agricultural development and the presence of the Ministry of Agriculture in this area must be seen as a positive development for the entire country”.

The Chamber congratulated former Minister Fazal Karim for the work done to Chaguanas with the construction of the NESC headquarters, the COSTAATT campus and the OJT headquarters.

The Chamber said that the trend to decentralise ministries began with the People’s Partnership Government and hopes that this trend will continue with this new administration.

“The move to Chaguanas is also part of a trend in decentralization that was begun under the previous administration. That trend has seen the movement of a number of state agencies out of the capital city and into various others parts of the country, not just in Central, but in the South and East of the country. While this trend has not been viewed positively by some groups, we are of the firm view that all Governments must undertake to decentralize state agencies if they want to see an improvement in productivity in the country”, said that Chamber.

The Chamber also asked that the Government consider relocating other ministries to Chaguanas for further development and growth of the area.

“We hope that, given the massive dimensions of the new Ministry of Agriculture building, the new Government will give some consideration to moving other state agencies to the building, thus creating a campus for Government facilities that are otherwise far flung and often difficult to access. We certainly would like to see the Passport Office relocated to an area that is accessible to everyone and with the adequate parking facilities so lacking in the current offices”, said that Chamber.

The Chamber said the relevant authorities should take note of the traffic issues faced in the Borough and for there to be solutions to the issue.

It stated, “We also hope that prior to opening the new Ministry’s offices, the Government and the relevant authorities will visit the area to take note of the traffic problems faced at the four-way junction that intersects where the Ministry has been set up. Since the junction is already creating traffic problems, the opening of any new offices will only create greater back-up of traffic turning off the highway into Chaguanas. In the interest of acting proactively, we would strongly recommend that the issue be addressed earlier rather than later”.

The Chamber is also hopeful that the new Motor Vehicle Authority (Licensing Authority) building constructed in Caroni will soon be put to use.

According to the Chamber, this MVA will greatly reduce some of the traffic created by the presence of the Licensing Office on Wrightson Road and make life easier for many citizens.

Taken from Trinidad Express