Farmers reeling from body blows

In Volume One, Numbers Three and Four of this publication the factors that affect both the demand and supply of fresh and processed agri-food products were critically reviewed with respect to their effect on increasing food prices and food security. However, the escalating crime situation and its impact on food prices is one important factor. Feedback from our readers, clients and stakeholders has brought to our attention the negative impact of this disturbing phenomenon, which is increasingly affecting the agri-food sector.

The effect of crime on food prices is multifaceted. Fishermen are alleging losses suffered by individuals in the artisanal fishing industry are between $60,000 to $100,000  per annum and is now common. These high losses are due to an increase in piracy on the high seas as well as larceny of boat engines and nets on land. When an individual suffers this kind of losses in a single year it can result in his departure from the industry. Reduction in this type of fishing as a direct result of crime can result in decreasing volume of seafood entering the fish markets on a daily basis. Consequently, contributing to the increasing seafood prices.

The relative low level of prosecution for praedial larceny also acts as a deterrent to investing in the agri-food sector.  Case in point is the $66.00/Kg for local goat meat last Christmas. This steep increase was due to the high demand that is outstripping supply but despite this few are willing to invest in the sector partly due to the high risk of praedial larceny. This assertion is supported by the fact that 2004 Agricultural Census conducted by the Central Statistical Office reported the goat population in Trinidad and Tobago in 2004 at 12,500 compared to 30,273 in 1982.

In 2004 there were 1,132 farms raising goats (the number for 1982 is unknown). However, since the structure of this sector has not changed it is safe to conclude that the reduction was due to reduction in the number of holdings raising goats. Praedial larceny was identified in the 2004 census by one third of farming population to be their most serious problem. This gives an indication of the seriousness of the effect of crime on the escalating cost of food.

NAMDEVCO’s work in farm monitoring over the past four years have revealed praedial larceny results in both direct and indirect losses. The direct losses are the substantial quantities of harvests made by the “night pickers” and indirect losses occur when they deliberately or inadvertently damage crops that are not ready for harvest. This accounts for lower production and consequently higher production cost.

Supermarkets owners and other entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector continue to identify rising cost of security as a significant factor in their cost of operation, which is inevitably passed on to consumers. Recent newspaper reports of kidnapping of persons engaged in the supermarket trade and fishermen on the high seas as well as attacks on vendors at the wholesale markets serve to highlight the problem despite the fact access to accurate statistics on the problem is lacking. We must first admit to the problem if solutions are to be found.