Government has launched a new initiative aimed at bringing food production closer to communities while strengthening food security across Trinidad and Tobago.
The Public Fruit and Food Orchards Initiative was officially launched on Thursday at Palmiste Park in San Fernando, with Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram describing it as a programme that will convert underutilised public spaces into productive community orchards, giving residents access to fresh fruits while promoting environmental stewardship and agricultural education.
He said the initiative is not just about planting trees, but about an idea.
“An idea that the spaces around us can become productive spaces. An idea that food security is not only about what happens on farms anymore but also about what happens within our communities.”
The Minister said the initiative comes as the country faces growing agricultural challenges, including climate change, supply chain disruptions and crop diseases.
“So we have to think beyond traditional agricultural spaces and identify new opportunities to strengthen the food production here in Trinidad and Tobago, and this initiative will require all of Trinidad and Tobago approach. We need every person to get on board, including what we do in communities, including what we do in our homes, encouraging everyone to invest into our backyard garden.”
A key feature of the programme will be the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to digitally map and monitor every orchard established under the initiative.
“We are ensuring that as we pilot the way forward, we must have a high level of accountability, transparency and whatever funds that has been spent, we must have value for money being spent. So this is agriculture supported by technology.”
Minister Ratiram also announced plans to expand the programme beyond Palmiste Park.
“We are going to be working with Local Government, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government to carry this initiative into recreational grounds across the country. We are going to be working with Minister of Education to return orchards in all the schools across the country. We are going to be working with Dr David Lee, Minister of Housing, where there’s green space in these HDC settlements.”
The Agriculture Ministry said the initiative is aimed at transforming underutilised public spaces into productive food spaces, bringing agriculture closer to the people.