Trinidad and Tobago already possesses one of the world’s most powerful genetic assets – the Moruga Scorpion pepper.
Now, a new partnership between the Government and the private sector aims to turn that natural heat into sustainable income for local agri-entrepreneurs.
Hot peppers are being repositioned as a strategic cultural and export commodity, as farmers receive training to scale production using modern agricultural systems.
A two-day workshop held in Freeport by the MarVista Institute for Agriculture Training and Development is equipping farmers with technology-driven methods designed to improve yields, climate resilience and crop management.
Chairman of the MarVista Institute, Marcus Mycoo, said the focus is on continuous innovation across the agricultural value chain.
“Hot pepper, by the way is just one of the crops. We’re known for high yields in cassava and papaya and all around. It’s really the technology and systems with a focus on getting started from the seedling.”
Minister of Agriculture, Ravi Ratiram, says local farmers are well-positioned to take advantage of growing international demand.
“The global demand for pepper-based products is both measurable and expanding. The international hot sauce market is currently valued in excess of three billion United States dollars, and it’s projected to grow steadily over the coming decade, driven by increasing consumer demand for bold flavours and specialty food products.”
Minister Ratiram says Trinidad and Tobago holds a distinct competitive advantage through its unique genetic resource – the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper.
“Scientific assessments have confirmed that the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is capable of exceeding two million Scoville Heat Units under controlled conditions, firmly establishing this country as a source of globally significant, high-value genetic material within the pepper sector. This is not simply a matter of distinction; it is a foundation upon which a differentiated, export-oriented industry can be built.”
However, he stressed that success in international markets will require more than heat alone.
Farmers, he said, must move away from isolated production toward coordinated systems of processing and export.
“Production must be aligned with processing, distribution, and export opportunities. Farmers must be supported in transitioning from independent operators to coordinated suppliers within a structured system that facilitates aggregation, contract farming, and stable market arrangements.”
By blending science with structured marketing, the local pepper industry is being primed for the global export stage, with the workshop advancing that push.