The twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the leading producer of oil and gas in the Caribbean. As a result, the agricultural sector is small by comparison but is still regarded as a socially and commercially important sector, as it accounts for use of some 16.7% of the land area. While the contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP of the country is less than 1%, it contributes 5% to total employment, and is particularly beneficial to those living in rural communities.
A national economic policy and strategy has been conceptualised which places greater emphasis on the growth of the non-oil foreign exchange earnings and relatively labour-intensive sectors of the economy, such as tourism, agriculture, agro-processing, and financial services.
Action Plan for Agriculture
The National Food production Action Plan 2012-2015 was developed out of this strategy and aims to:
Staples selected to be developed under the food security component of the plan were:
Vegetables earmarked to be grown to support the domestic market were:
The plan also seeks to encourage the growth of legumes and pulses like:
It also focuses on producing a year-round supply of fruits like:
Livestock/ Aquaculture
The strategic plan in this area is to increase the levels of pork and poultry production as well as fish stock.
The 2012 – 2015 Action Plan outlines several challenges to the development of the sector including:
As a result, a number of strategies have been developed to address these challenges. They include: the development of technology and infrastructure for post-harvest storage and the handling of produce; developing and encouraging farmers to use protected production systems; improving the system of farm certification; and, working with the Ministry of Health to develop the capability of pesticide testing of plant produce for consumption.
The country is described on the Invest TT website as one with a positive investment climate. It is also described as having a stable democracy and close relations with its Caribbean neighbours and major North American and European trading partners.
While manufacturing and services are two of the main areas where persons can invest, Invest TT believes there is some room for investment in agriculture. There are opportunities to invest in the agribusiness sector with the local food and beverage sector (measured and included in Manufacturing) offering significant investment opportunities. This is especially so for manufacturers who utilise unique regional agro-products to develop goods.
In light of increased access to global markets and North America’s desire for exotic foods, as well as the growth of gourmet lifestyles in more developed metropolitan communities, this sector has an opportunity to create and innovate in the production of specialty items for local, regional and international markets.
Another area in which persons can invest is the cocoa industry through the Lopinot Cocoa Estate project. Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a healthy comparative advantage in cocoa production with its unique combination of rich cocoa history, suitable soils and climate, investment in intellectual capital by having the longest continuous cocoa breeding programme in the world, and a one-of-a-kind universal collection of unique cocoa varieties. ‘Trinitario’ cocoa is in high demand throughout the globe by the most renowned of chocolatiers.
With regard to hot peppers, Trinidad and Tobago’s Scorpion Moruga pepper is the hottest naturally growing pepper in the world, rated the world’s hottest pepper by the New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute in February 2012. And the demand for pepper mash prepared from Trinidad and Tobago’s local hot peppers is steadily growing.
Monies for investment in agriculture can be accessed from the private and public sector.
Public Sector – Central Government:
An allocation of $0.831 billion was made to the agricultural sector in the 2015 Budgetary Proposals. Additionally, the cost of inputs into the agricultural sector, including approved chemicals, pest control, approved vehicles, approved fishing vessels and equipment will be exempt from all duties and taxes effective January 1, 2016.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries provides incentive programmes for individuals and businesses involved in the agricultural sector. Claims can be made for:
State Owned Enterprises/Statutory Bodies
The Agricultural Development Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (ADB) specialises in development financing for the agricultural sector. It provides the best financial solutions that nurtures investment and entrepreneurship across the entire agri-food chain and in all aspects of agriculture.
The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) assists in the development of investment profiles, establishing links with service providers and implementing pilot projects. It also offers services in identifying local and export market opportunities and developing value added products. NAMDEVCO covers markets in Macoya, Debe, Valencia, Chaguanas, Diego Martin, Point Fortin, Port of Spain and Orange Valley as well as a packing house at Piarco airport.
International Organisations
The IDB has partnered with Government aimed at improving Marketing and Production of Artisanal Cocoa from Trinidad and Tobago at an estimated cost of USD 1,550,000.
Agricultural Production
The Trinidad and Tobago Country Report indicates that land use for agricultural purposes has declined significantly over the years. Land use declined from 15.0 % in 1990 to 0.5% in 2010-2011, while permanent cropland went from 6.8% in 1990 to 4.3% in 2010-2011.
Agriculture in Trinidad is a market driven activity and the produce is sold locally at wholesale and retail markets, farmers’ markets, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. Produce is also sold at Farmgate – where wholesalers and distributors purchase solely from farmers, road-side vending, internet marketing and contract marketing. The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation oversees all market activity.
Agriculture is administered in Trinidad by county. The seven (7) administrative county districts are: George West, St. George East, St. Andrew / St David, Caroni, Nariva / Mayaro, St Patrick and Victoria
Agricultural Import/Exports
There are approximately 30 agro-processors operating in Trinidad according to that country’s Manufacturing Association, however, the raw materials used in this process are usually imported from Guyana, St. Vincent and Grenada or in partially processed form from the United States.
Trinidad is a party to the 2010 International Cocoa Agreement and has traditionally exported its entire cocoa crop. However due to high labour costs, low farm productivity, the ageing farmer population and the unattractiveness of the industry to the younger generation as well as other challenges related to capital, access roads and land tenure, exports declined from 35,000 tonnes in the early 990s to 600 tonnes around 2012. The Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs had developed a number of strategies to double the output for export.
Agro processing
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association there are approximately 30 major agro-processors operating in Trinidad and Tobago. These companies source raw materials from Guyana, Grenada, St Vincent and much of it, in partially processed form, from the United States.
This is largely because there is no large-scale collection area/packing house that would allow farmers to store material. It was estimated that these processors supply around 8% of the processed foods consumed in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Trinidad Country Report lists the key agro processors as:
No. | Name (Acronym): | Type of Business / Role(s) | Contact Person/ Designation / Postal Address | Contact information |
1
|
Arena Farmers Group |
AS-F / EX |
# 172 Arena Road, Freeportor C/o Agricultural Society of Trinidad And Tobago (ASTT) Pembroke Street, Port of Spain |
Tel: 868-627-3087 |
2
|
B & J Foods |
PRV, |
64 Forth Street, Tumpuna Road, Arima, Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 643-0253 |
3
|
Belle Garden Farmers Association |
AS-F / PP, TM, TR, RU, OT |
Samuel Sylvester President Belle Garden Post Office, Belle Garden, Tobago |
Tel: 868 660 4796, 868 660 4627 |
4
|
Bethel Farmers Association |
AS-F / EX |
Samuel Charles President #2 Montgomery Local Road |
Tel: 868 639 7223 |
5
|
Bon Air Agro-Processors Limited |
PRV / PS-M |
#9 Ramcharan Street off Thavenot Street Tacarigua |
Tel: 868 640-8859
|
6
|
C.A. Correia Trinidad Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
5A Old ST. Joseph Road, Laventille, Belmont North & West |
Tel: (868) 623-4860 |
7
|
The Caribbean Coffee House Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
17B Diamond Vale, Industrial Estate, Diego Martain, Diamond Vale |
Tel: (868) 637-6235, (868) 637-3306 |
8
|
Caribbean Specialty Food |
PRV, PS-M |
#67 Hillsdale Crescent, Mt. Hope, Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 638-4286 Fax: (868) 653-2705 Mobile: (868) 757-2961 |
9
|
Caribbean Spices Ltd |
PRV, PS-M |
6 Nacir Street, Preysal, Couva, Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 636-6658 |
10
|
Charles Candy Company Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
P.O. Box 1138 Port of Spain, Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: 868 638 -6461, 868 638-6463 |
11
|
Chatak Food Products |
PRV, PS-M |
Frederick Settlement, Industrial Estate, Caroni, Munroe Road/Caroni Savannah |
Tel: (868) 645-9648, (868) 645-9647, (868) 645-9641 |
12
|
Chief Brand Products Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
Uriah Butler Highway, Charlieville, P.O. Box 1042, Chaguanas, Charlieville |
Tel: (868) 665-4144 , (868) 665-5012 |
13
|
Cunupia Farmers Association |
AS-F / EX |
C/o Anil Ramnarine LP #62 Esmerelda Road Cunupia |
|
14
|
Depot Road Farmers Group |
AS-F / EX |
C/o Mrs. Miradai Seetahal LP 76-86 Depot Road Longdenville Post Office Via Chaguanas |
|
15
|
Fresh Start Limited |
PRV, |
#25 Senior Street, Via Manning Street, Diego Martin Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 637-4902 |
16
|
Friendsfield Young Farmers Association |
AS-F / EX |
Linton Thomas 91 Friendsfield Road Scarborough Tobago |
Tel: 868 635 0859
|
17
|
Garden Fresh Produce |
|
80 Sunkist Drive, Philipine, San Fernando, Les Efforts West/La Romain |
Tel: (868) 653-3200, (868) 653-2824 Fax: (868) 653-2824 |
18
|
Jubilange People’s Cooperative Society |
AS-F/PS-M |
24 Jubilee Street |
|
19
|
Kitch Mix Food Products Limited |
|
Building 18 F, O’Meara Industrial East, Arima |
Tel: (868) 646-3618 |
20
|
KMC Associates |
|
2 Torquoise Drive, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin |
Tel: (868) 632-0824 |
21
|
La Philipine Farmers Association |
AS-F / EX |
C/o Kenneth Heeralal |
Tel: 868 679-9527
|
22
|
Las Cuevas Farmers and Homesteaders Association Ltd |
AS-F / RU |
Rincom Trace Las Cuevas |
Tel: 868 622-1082
|
23
|
Leela Cubair |
|
1 1/4 mm Chin Chin Road, Cunupia |
|
24
|
Maloney Farmers Association |
AS-F / EX |
Abdul Young Street Aranguez |
Tel: 868 638-9479
|
25
|
Mega Foods Company Limited |
|
Lot 1C, O’Meara Industrial Estate, Arima |
Tel: (868) 642-9064, (868) 642-3779 Fax: (868) 642-0634 |
26
|
Michael’s Marketing Agency |
|
15 Woodpecker Lane, River Estate, Diego Martin, Morne Coco/Alyce Glen |
Tel: (868) 637-0926 |
27
|
Mountain Fresh |
|
#42 Main Road, Williamsville, Ben Lomond/Williamsville/Hardbargin |
Tel: (868) 655-2063 Mobile: (868) 770-6387 |
28
|
Mt. St. George Farmers Association |
AS-F / EX |
Orwin Dillon President C/o Botanic Station |
Tel: 868 639-4356
|
29
|
National Canners Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Arima, Arima Central |
Tel: (868) 642-3091, (868) 642-3062, (868) 642-8959 |
30
|
National Fruit Processors Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
1A Century Drive, Trincity Industrial Estate, Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 662-5470 |
31
|
Paramin Women’s Group |
|
#2 Tangerine Drive, Santa Rosa Heights, Arina Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 628-1008, (868) 680-6300 Fax: (868) 628-1008 Mobile: (868) 749-4226 |
32
|
Rainbow Country Food Products Limited |
|
4 Temple Street, Mt. Lambert, Petit Bourg/Champ Fleurs/Mt. Lambert |
Tel: (868) 675-2303¸ (868) 675-3184 Fax: (868) 675-2303 |
33
|
RHS Marketing |
|
#5 Frederick Settlement, Industrial Estate, Caroni, Munroe Road/Caroni Savannah |
Tel (868) 662-8381 |
34
|
Royal Castle Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
65 Western Main Road St James St. Ann’s River Central |
868-622-1000 |
35
|
Tai Pan Industrial Ltd |
|
5 B Trincity Industrial Estate, Macoya Road, Tunapuna, Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: (868) 645-1239, (868) 663-9877 |
36
|
Tobago East Association of Farmers |
AS-F / PP |
Linton Thomas C/o Eon Robley, 23 Breadfruit Alley, Argyle, Tobago |
Tel: 868 660 6324, 868 684 1607 |
37
|
Tropical Fruits |
PRV, PS-M |
15 Dinoo Road Charlieville, Chaguanas Southern Port of Spain |
Tel: 868 655-6763 |
38
|
Tro-Pickle Foods |
PRV, PS-M |
#17 Nelson Road, Freeport, Freeport/Calcutta |
Tel: (868) 673-4204 Fax: (868) 673-4204 Mobile: (868) 780-5133 |
39
|
Turban Broad Producers Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
188 Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna, Auzoniville/St Benedict |
Tel: (868) 663-0324 |
40
|
T. Geddes Grant Ltd |
PRV, PS-S |
61-63 Edward St., |
Te:l 868 623 4450, 868 625 1681 |
41
|
VEMCO Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
Lot 9A, Diamond Vale, Industrial Estate, Diego Martin, Diamond Vale |
Tel: (868) 623-0443, (868) 633-5339 Fax: (868) 633-7159
|
42
|
Willies Homemade Ice Cream |
PRV, PS-M |
L.P. 32 Arena Road, Freeport |
Tel: (868) 673-0537 , (868) 673-3468 |
43
|
Sesame Foods Limited |
PRV, PS-M |
319 Mission Road, Freeport |
Tel: (868) 673-0015 |
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