The Tobago House of Assembly continues its drive to achieve food security in Tobago.
Earlier this week, the Tobago Agri-Technology Centre was officially handed over, and a Mega-Farming Friendship Development Project was launched.
Secretary of Food Security Nathisha Charles-Pantin confirmed the building previously known as the Tobago Fisheries Training Centre was renovated by the Tobago House of Assembly after remaining abandoned for several years.
“What was once only a Fisheries Training Centre will now serve a much wider group of stakeholders across agriculture, fisheries, agro-processing, forestry and the environment, delivering specialised training and introducing modern innovations to strengthen these vital sectors.”
During the event, 20 farmers received letters of intent, which signified their selection to engage in a mega-farming project at an agri-park to be established at Friendship, Tobago. According to Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, the park will utilise technologically advanced farming methods.
“What we have done is to co-opt farmers across the island to participate in mega-farming development programme because we believe if we have several farms across the island producing same or similar things then we can in fact achieve the end goal or the end goals of mega-farming. We are going to open up the Friendship Estate for the first time so we are going beyond the road development in Friendship now to looking at opening up Friendship to provide farmers.”
The Tobago Agri-Technology Services Limited will facilitate training workshops at the Centre and farmers selected for the project will be among those involved in the training.