98 per cent of Trinidad’s root crops come from SVG – Caesar

An analysis of import data from Trinidad and Tobago reveals that 98 per cent of the root crops entering that Caribbean country come from St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar made that revelation following a recent two-day visit to the twin island republic.

Caesar, who was accompanied on the trip by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Raymond Ryan, held consultations in Trinidad and Tobago with the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), in a quest to open greater markets for produce from SVG.

“The trip was short, but successful, as we had the opportunity to meet the appropriate individuals to discuss the future of our farmers here,” he told SEARCHLIGHT last week.

NAMDEVCO is a statutory body with a mandate “to create, facilitate and maintain an environment conducive to the efficient marketing of agricultural produce and food products through the provision of marketing services and the stimulation of business investment in the agro-industrial sector of Trinidad and Tobago”.

Caesar met with the board and other key technicians of the institution during the two-day visit.

“It was important to note that agricultural produce from St Vincent and the Grenadines was regarded as premium quality by both NAMDEVCO and wholesalers,” the agriculture minister stated.

Caesar further said that the ministry of agriculture will be meeting with the Windward Islands Farmers Association and traders on the Trinidad and Tobago market to “negotiate the modalities for the dissemination of information regarding prices” during the month of April.

This, he said, will ensure that all parties are aware of the changes of prices, supply and demand in Trinidad and Tobago.

NAMDEVCO collects retail and wholesale prices from all four wholesale markets in Trinidad and Tobago and over 80 different retail outlets including supermarkets, municipal markets, farmers’ markets, roadside vegetable stalls and mini-marts.

“It is critical that there is an effective co-ordination of information regarding prices, demand and supply for commodities, if we are to increase our trade and effect greater market access to the Trinidad and Tobago market,” he added.

The agriculture minister also noted that one critical issue affecting agriculture in St Vincent and the Grenadines touches and concerns the “breakdown of trust” between farmers and traffickers.

“This atmosphere of distrust is a disincentive to farmers and can only be addressed if there is an accurate information system informing all parties of market prices for commodities and the volatility of prices on the market.

“When there is trade in an environment without the clear access to prices by all parties in that trade, it is a foregone conclusion that this will always be bad for business,” he further stated.

The objective of the exercise, Caesar said, is to ensure that the traffickers in SVG are not accused blindly and that the expectations of farmers are reasonable and grounded in a sound analysis of the behaviour of prices on the market.(AA)