00:00Bragging rights were up for grabs as 37 farmers put forth their best cocoa beans at the National Cocoa Awards,
00:07which offers the opportunity to farmers and serves as a preparatory platform for the country's participation in the global Cacao of Excellence programme,
00:16a prestigious event held in Paris, France, which celebrates the excellence and diversity of cocoa producers from around the globe.
00:23Since the inception of the COEX programme, this country has won a total of 14 awards at the competitions, the most by any country,
00:33and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Avinash Singh, praised farmers for their dedication to the industry, despite the issues they face.
00:44And let us not forget our performance on the international stage.
00:47In the last Cocoa of Excellence competition, tree producers from right here in Trinidad and Tobago have held their own and even onshore competitors from much larger cocoa-producing countries.
01:05You all have helped put our nation on the map.
01:08That said, we know the cocoa industry isn't without its challenges.
01:14From aging trees, the pest problems, unpredictable weather to market pressure, many of you face real challenges and obstacles every day.
01:25But we also have seen this industry very resilient, and we have seen your resilience in the industry.
01:35Farmers, you keep showing up, you keep producing, and you keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
01:42Singh also highlighted the potential of the cocoa industry by comparing it to the country's oil and gas sector.
01:50I just did a price check.
01:53A barrel of crude, Brent crude, today is trading at $60.70 per barrel.
02:01West Texas is trading at $57.55 per barrel.
02:07Natural gas is $3.53 per MMBTU.
02:11Compared to our cocoa sector, one metric ton of cocoa, Trinidad Final Flavor Beans can sell for $12,000 per metric ton.
02:23Friends, farmers, agriculture is serious potential.
02:29Five samples from Trinidad were chosen to be sent to the COEX labs.
02:33But, of course, only one could claim the title of best cocoa in the country.
02:38From the world to me, I would like to thank you one of our first-place women,
02:46which was very early and clear, please write us at the stage.
02:52Big congratulations to you.
02:54Dominic Ramroop, TV6 News.
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