BAVINA SOOKDEO
Agriculture is the backbone of economies worldwide, serving as a fundamental source of sustenance, employment and economic growth.
Beyond providing essential food resources, the agricultural sector contributes significantly to a nation’s GDP. The interplay of farming activities not only fuels agribusinesses but also establishes a vital link in the global supply chain. With its multifaceted impact, agriculture remains a cornerstone for economic stability, ensuring food security, fostering innovation and supporting livelihoods across diverse communities. As the year comes to a close, we sought to find out what 2023 held for farmers and vendors and what their hopes are for 2024.
A farmer from Debe, aged 65, reflects on over four decades cultivating the land. Planting eddoes, bodi, baigan, ochro, and seim, the farmer witnesses the intricate dance between nature’s bounty and the challenges of sustaining a livelihood.
[caption id="attachment_1052501" align="alignnone" width="922"] This market vendor is selling baigan for $14 per pound and cucumbers for $8 per pound at his stall. - File photo[/caption]
The farmer, who sells produce at the Debe and Penal markets, spoke of the hurdles faced by those who toil in the fields, particularly during 2023.
Navigating the intricate balance of weather patterns, this year proved to be a tapestry woven with triumphs and tribulations for him. He pointed out that the ebb and flow of weather conditions coupled with fungal diseases posed formidable challenges. The farmer said, “For small seasonal periods such as Divali, when vegetables are in high demand, there are sometimes many challenges with the weather and this could severely impact on such a favourable period for farmers.”
One of the perennial challenges stems from the nefarious activities of praedial larcenists. The farmer lamented, “Bandits are very smart in their stealing activities.”
Theft not only disrupts the delicate equilibrium of supply and demand but also undermines the hard work and dedication farmers invest in their craft.
[caption id="attachment_1052505" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Kazim Hosein stands with two rice farmers looking at the machiney used in the fields. -[/caption]
Access to resources
The farmer’s insights delve deeper into systemic issues.
Accessing grants and loans, crucial for the sustenance and expansion of their operations, proves to be a formidable challenge for low-level farmers.
“The system is corrupted and flood damages go to people who are not proper farmers,” he says.
Looking toward the horizon of 2024, the seasoned farmer articulates a vision for the future of agriculture in TT. Urgent calls are being made for improvements in access roads and market facilities.
He explained that greater assistance is provided by private agricultural supply companies such as Caribbean Chemicals Ltd.
The farmer emphasises the need for a re-evaluation of the support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and its extensi
