There will be a rollout of more technology in agriculture.
The promise came from Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart Young, while speaking at an Agro Incentive Grant Distribution Ceremony on Friday.
“So it pleases me here tonight as someone who is going to have the responsibility to carry us forward to see so many interested persons who are still willing to dedicate not only your time, your energy, but your livelihood and life towards our country’s sustenance.”
Minister Young reiterated the importance of the agricultural sector, especially with regard to food security for Trinidad and Tobago.
He assured that the Government remains committed to investing in agriculture, pointing out the various youth agriculture programmes being offered through the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service. But he said traditional agricultural practices have to make way for the more efficient yields and promised to introduce new technologies for farmers.
“In our next tenure, one of the things I intend for us to focus on in agriculture, and I’m told by Minister Hosein as well as Minister Singh that they are ready to do it, is the rollout of more technology in agriculture, because, as I’m sure you, the farmers know, we now have the type of technology that is available to look at your soil.”
At Friday’s Distribution Ceremony, 116 farmers received a total of TT$11.2 million in Agro Incentive Grants – this being the single largest distribution since the programme’s inception.
Minister of Youth Development and National Service, Foster Cummings, agreed with Minister Young, noting that new technology is needed to ensure farmers make the best use of limited resources.
“A young farmer armed with a smartphone like Minister Avinash Singh and precision agriculture technology can now monitor soil health, track weather patterns, and automate irrigation systems, all in real time.”
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Kazim Hosein, also encouraged more farmers to diversify their trade.
“So Desan, I want to acknowledge you in particular among others because of what you have done for this country with ducks, because everybody likes a duck and everybody likes a curry duck. So what you have done for this country, I want you to encourage other farmers to go into the duck business.”
Since the Agro-Incentive Programme was implemented in 2019, 435 recipients have collected Grants totalling over $42 million.
The Grants will enable recipients to modernise their operations, expand production, and implement more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices to help strengthen the sector’s contribution to food security.