Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, getting back from the CARICOM forty sixth Heads of Authorities summit, emphasised the untapped potential for agribusiness ventures in Guyana and Suriname throughout a media briefing on the Piarco Worldwide Airport.
Missed Alternatives in Guyana and Suriname
Dr. Rowley highlighted the frustration expressed at CARICOM relating to the shortage of engagement from native personal sectors in pursuing agribusiness ventures in Guyana and Suriname.
He famous that regardless of accessible land and incentives, together with roughly 3,000 acres in Suriname, there was minimal curiosity from CARICOM personal sector representatives.
Collaboration for meals safety
Acknowledging the significance of regional cooperation in bolstering meals manufacturing, Dr. Rowley identified Trinidad and Tobago’s collaboration with Guyana.
Notably, Trinidad and Tobago has elevated its rice manufacturing considerably, from 100 to 1,000 acres, with help from Guyana, leading to a harvest of 340 tonnes for the season.
– Commercial –
Moreover, efforts are underway to reinforce coconut manufacturing via the acquisition of seedlings.
Exploring agricultural alternatives
Throughout his go to to Guyana, Dr. Rowley toured agricultural websites in areas equivalent to Lethem, close to the Brazilian border, the place cattle, soya, and corn are cultivated.
Whereas Trinidad and Tobago doesn’t import beef from Guyana because of sure insurance policies, Dr. Rowley prompt the necessity for coverage evaluate to maximise potential advantages and deal with outdated laws.
– Commercial –
Addressing regulatory considerations
Dr. Rowley acknowledged regulatory considerations relating to the importation of beef, together with potential dangers equivalent to foot and mouth illness.
Nonetheless, he underscored the necessity to assess the comparative dangers, highlighting the potential advantages of licensed beef imports from Guyana over illicit actions equivalent to cattle smuggling from Venezuela.
Dr Rowley mentioned he would instruct the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries to handle these conditions transferring ahead.
CARICOM has pledged to scale back its meals import invoice by 25 per cent by 2025.
