While a range of assistance and incentives exists for Tobago farmers, not all are aware of them.
Extension officers serve as a vital link between farmers and the Tobago House of Assembly. However, during routine field visits, especially in communities like Charlotteville, they are not always able to connect with every farmer.
As a result, Agriculture Assistant III Paula Cornwall said the THA Division of Food Security has been ramping up public outreach efforts to ensure more farmers can access information and support.
“We are here to bring the services of the Division to the farmers in the Charlotteville district. Alright, so some of the internal stakeholders such as tractor pool, Pest Protection Unit, and the registration incentive, we are here to service the farmers.”
Agricultural Assistant I, Charlotteville/Speyside, Christon McKenzie, said there are a lot of incentives available through both the Division of Food Security and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Where the farmers make certain purchases towards their farming endeavours, where we call it investments, for example machinery and materials and stuff like that, they are entitled to, say, a 30–50% reimbursement whether it is poultry or any other type of farming endeavour.”
According to Mr. McKenzie, the outreach was also a way for the technical experts in the Division to better understand the challenges faced by farmers.
“On this Windward end of the island, most of the farmers practise traditional farming, and they rely on rainfall because where they farm is mostly deep in the hills. So access roads and water are the two major issues for farmers on this end.”
He pointed out that there is also an aging demographic of farmers in the community that challenges the future of farming.
“Most of the farmers are elderly guys. So I mean if the elderly guys are not really seen being too successful, it won’t motivate the younger ones to get into it.”
The officers said they are committed to ensuring that farmers have access to every bit of support that is available to them. They will be continuing outreaches in other communities such as Delaford, Roxborough, Belle Garden and more in the coming weeks.