00:00This country's heavy reliance on imported food is being described as more than just a supply issue.
00:06It's being seen as an economic concern.
00:09Every shipment represents foreign exchange leaving the country,
00:12along with missed opportunities for jobs, farmers and local industries.
00:17We import far too much of what we eat.
00:20We spend over a billion U.S. dollars each year on importing food.
00:25Now that's a very uncomfortable figure.
00:29Every container of imported food is not just food on the shelf.
00:32It's foreign exchange walking out the door.
00:35It's a job that was not created here.
00:38It's a farmer who was not supported.
00:41And it's a processing facility that was never built.
00:45Dr. Arjun says at a time when foreign exchange is not readily available,
00:49the issue is now being framed as one of national importance tied to food security and economic resilience.
00:56This is not just a conversation on agriculture.
00:59It's about food security.
01:01It's about national self-reliance, economic resilience, and of course the smarter use of foreign exchange.
01:09We have the land.
01:11We have the climate.
01:12We have the people.
01:14And the time is now ripe.
01:15He calls for a shift in mindset, treating agriculture as a shared national responsibility.
01:22Dr. Arjun say it will take coordination involving farmers, financial institutions, government, and the private sector.
01:28Yes, it certainly does require the farmer in the field as a key ingredient.
01:32But it also requires the banker who understands the agricultural cycle, not just the credit score.
01:39The insurer who designs products for climate risk and crop risk.
01:44The university bringing science and data to the soil.
01:47The government providing infrastructure, consistent policy that keeps up with the ever-changing needs of farmers.
01:54The private sector investing in processing, packaging, coal storage, exports, and of course our hotels, our supermarkets, our restaurants, deciding
02:04to buy Trinbegonian first.
02:07He added that access to financing and expanding into value-added production are also seen as critical to growing the
02:14sector.
02:15Selling raw produce, yes, it makes a living.
02:19But selling value-added products builds an industry and captures far more wealth for our farmers and by extension the
02:27overall economy.
02:29Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
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