The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) is in the process of setting up a new agro-processing facility, which will allow farmers to add value to their produce.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Ravi Ratiram made the announcement on Wednesday and encouraged farmers to add more value to their produce through agro-processing.
“The government of India would have donated to us an agro-processing facility in the tune of US$1 million. The CEO of NAMDEVCO is working towards getting that up and installed, and that agro-processing facility is going to be processing fruits and vegetables and so forth that we can utilise for export purpose.”
Minister Ratiram added that a new facility is also being set up to process cassava flour.
“So cassava and other provisions can be now converted into flour, which is much healthier than the wheat. The Glycemic Index, in terms of the diabetes part of it, the cassava flour is recommended and is healthier. So, we are also moving into the direction of having a healthier Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Minister also stated that farmers can now take advantage of NAMDEVCO’s packaging house at Piarco.
“We have the packaging house that we have basically expanded at Piarco. There were some spaces happening in Piarco, but we have boosted that, and we continue to reach out to agro processors who want help in getting that facility or getting that support to package or process your goods. Please feel free to reach out to the CEO of NAMDEVCO.”