00:00The Agriculture Ministry has launched a pilot project to determine whether soybean, corn and black-eyed peas can be grown
00:08commercially in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:11By starting with two-acre sites for each crop, we are creating an opportunity to properly assess performance under local
00:19conditions, including yields, input requirements, irrigation needs and overall production costs.
00:25The initiative is being supported by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, which has already been producing similar crops
00:34at scale in Belize.
00:36So a lot of work went in from in terms of assessing the soil to determine what is present in
00:43the soil to see how suitable it can be for the conditions.
00:47We would have designed the growing system for the crop and today we're going to be planting and the planting
00:55you're going to see today is a very important is mechanized cultivation that is taking place.
01:00Stakeholders say the project represents a shift away from traditional farming to what greater crop diversification.
01:08Today's commencement of these crop trials is a direct response to the food import reduction agenda and a concerted effort
01:16to broaden the base and diversity of foods that can be grown in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:21Officials also point to the health benefits, noting that these crops are rich in plant-based protein.
01:27Black-eyed peas, soy beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, as well as essential micronutrients
01:38such as iron, folate and potassium.
01:41Trade Minister Satyakama Maharaj is pleased to have items added to the local listing.
01:46I've instructed the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism to give priority to products that are locally manufactured in all
01:57their purchases and I already have support from another Ministry of Sport.
02:04The move could also benefit the school feeding program which uses thousands of pounds of peas and beans each year.
02:12Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlaff says agriculture is also being reintroduced in schools.
02:19But we are looking to reintroduce, especially on our primary school system, the agricultural science as a component of the
02:31science curriculum for that continuous assessment component of the curriculum.
02:39Agriculture Minister Ravi Rattiram says the crops were carefully selected based on import data.
02:47Corn import alone was 84,000 metric tons in 2024 with an import bill of 172 million in 2023 and
02:59152 million in 2024.
03:20The pilot project is expected to guide future investments in agriculture as government looks to strengthen food security and reduce
03:30reliance on import.
03:31Corn import reports.
03:33Arvishitawari Rupnarain, TV6 News.
03:36Arvishitawari Rupnarain, TV6 News.
Comments