Agri plant for Tableland

The government intends to construct an agricultural processing plant in the vicinity of Tableland  to assist farmers to be efficient, self reliant and more competitive with other markets, according to Agriculture Minister John  Rahael. He was at the time, addressing pineapple farmers yesterday at the Nipal Primary School, Corosan Road, Tableland. The Minister also dealt with concerns raised by the farmers. The Minister promised, “The government of Trinidad and Tobago will give whatever support it can to developing the agro-processig plant.” The minister made it clear the plant would be built in the vicinity of Tableland as Tableland and surrounding areas are “the heart and soul of agriculture.” It is estimated that 96 percent of cultivated pineapples comes from the County Victoria District of which Tableland is a part. The Minister also stated that the National Agricultural and Marketing Development Company  (NAMDEVCO) “has been  given a new mandate to find wholesale and new markets outside  Trinidad.”

He expressed surprise that when he came into government, pineapple was not  being exported to CARICOM states. Rahael also pointed out that the farmers must do their part for this country to achieve  the 2020 vision. The minister said, “Food security and food safety is an objective  of achieving developed country status by 2020.  One of the areas is to feed ourselves not only locally but achieve comparative advantages so as to export outside Trinidad and Tobago.” NAMDEVCO CEO Sam Dowlath said that at present 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of pineappple are exported to CARICOM countries but when markerts in St Lucia and Grenada are obtained this may increase to 20,000 pounds every month. The farmers raised concerns including markets for their produce and availability of land. They also spoke of accessibilty in the farming areas, fixing of roads, obtaining affordable vehicles and use of fertilisers.   Afterwards the minister along with the farmers  visited the some 500 acres of land  cultivated with pineapple.