Agriculture
From The Report: Trinidad & Tobago 2018
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The economic recession in recent years has forced the government to closely examine its consumption of foreign goods, and to prioritise domestic production and self-sustainability. The push towards wider economic diversification has highlighted agriculture as a potential sector for transformation. While the state has shown a commitment to change, Trinidad and Tobago still has room for improvement as it continues its journey towards increased food security. To ensure food security and sustainability, T&T must invest in initiatives that will build out its agricultural capabilities and place the local food system on a solid foundation that values both staple and export crops. Planned rehabilitation efforts can only be successful if the government and private investors alike continue showing commitment to and interest in the rehabilitation of the sector.

This chapter includes an interview with Joe Pires, Managing Director, Caribbean Chemicals and Agencies.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Sustaining progress: Food security and diversification are priorities for a long underfunded sector
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The government of Trinidad and Tobago has targeted the agriculture sector for economic diversification in the coming years, with a raft of planned investments and agriculture promotion programmes. Expected benefits include greater food security, increased export revenue, and a reduction of funds spent on food imports. However, the industry has been traditionally overlooked within the local economy, with the sector contributing less than 0.5% annually to GDP since 2012. A number of initiatives…

Interview

Domestic value: Joe Pires, Managing Director, Caribbean Chemicals and Agencies, on the future of Trinbagonian agriculture
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Interview:Joe Pires How can agriculture be harnessed to drive growth? JOE PIRES: The sector currently has an almost negligible impact on the economy in general, representing around 0.4% of our national GDP. I think the main obstacle to transforming agriculture into a driver of economic growth is the belief that hydrocarbons will be never-ending manna from heaven for Trinidad and Tobago. This myth is built on the belief that reserves will never be exhausted and that international prices will…