Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, commends the Honourable Kamla Persad Bissessar S.C. M.P. Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for her decisive leadership and diplomatic engagement at the Shield of the Americas Summit held on March 7, 2026 in Doral, Florida. The Minister underscores the Summit’s significance as a catalyst for deepening agricultural cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States and reiterates the Government’s commitment to expanding food‑security‑driven trade ties.
“Prime Minister Persad Bissessar’s vision and proactive diplomacy are restoring Trinidad and Tobago as a respected voice on the global stage while creating tangible opportunities for economic growth at home,” said Minister Ratiram. “The Shield of the Americas Summit showcases the strength of our partnership with the United States – the strongest it has been since diplomatic relations were established in 1962.”
Building on recent bilateral dialogues Minister Ratiram highlights two key engagements that lay a solid foundation for continued bilateral relations with the United States in the agricultural sector:
* August 2025 – Buenos Aires, Argentina: A meeting with Ms. Michelle Bekkering, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, USDA. The dialogue focused on expanding agricultural collaboration across the Caribbean, advancing climate‑resilient farming practices, digital agriculture technologies, pest‑monitoring and bio‑security systems, and capacity‑building programmes for agricultural professionals.
* August 2025 – Ministry Headquarters, Chaguanas: Discussions with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz centred on practical solutions to strengthen agriculture, fisheries and food security. Joint initiatives include combating agricultural pests, flood‑mitigation for farming communities, leveraging U.S. technology and EXIM Bank financing, and modernising fisheries management through GPS‑equipped vessels and enhanced maritime domain awareness.
Minister Ratiram also identified the following strategic opportunities for the sector with several high‑impact prospects emerging from the bilateral dialogue:
* Export Growth: Targeting up to US $1 billion in agricultural exports, with particular emphasis on Trinidad’s prized Scorpion and Moruga red peppers for pepper‑spray and marine‑paint applications, and the globally‑renowned Trinitario fine‑flavoured cocoa.
* Youth Engagement: Launching programs to inspire the next generation of farmers and fishers, integrating modern technology and entrepreneurship training.
* Financial & Technical Support: Expanding access to U.S. financing mechanisms, research collaborations, and technical assistance to modernise production, improve bio‑security, and enhance climate‑adaptation capacity.
The Prime Minister’s leadership at the Shield of the Americas Summit reinforces the commitment to our nation to building strong international alliances that support innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.
Minister Ratiram reaffirms that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries remains dedicated to fostering international cooperation that strengthens Trinidad and Tobago’s food security, enhances agricultural productivity, and creates new economic opportunities for the nation.