A state-of-the-art packing house that will accommodate the produce from more than 500 farmers will be instrumental in reducing T&T's $4 billion food import bill and encourage food security, deputy chairman of the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco) Ryan Badal said yesterday.
The facility, located at Sevilla Compound, Couva, and built on former Caroni (1975) Ltd lands, will be used by farmers to store, sort and prepare their produce for local and international markets.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Badal said the only way the country can attain food security is by supporting local farmers.
"As you are aware, T&T is confronted with the challenge of reducing an increasing food import bill of $4 billion, while also promoting food security. That is why we believe full support must be given to our farmers through the provision of storage and processing facilities to increase local food production," he said.
Badal added: "It is a challenge for farmers to clean, sort, size and package produce to be sold at fresh produce markets. The packing house provides a one-stop destination for the proper post-harvest handling and processing of fresh and minimally processed produce to meet local and international standards."
Special advisor to Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj, Emmanuel George, who brought greetings on behalf of the minister, said four types of produce would be processed at the facility initially–sweet potato, cassava, hot pepper and pineapple.
He said in addition to local farmers markets, the products would also be marketed to institutional buyers such as the government security services, hospitals, the National School Feeding programme, hotels and supermarket chains.
George said the storage facilities provided at the packing house will reduce shortages.
"It is anticipated that buffer stocks will assist in stabilising prices by taking surplus output and putting it into storage, or with a bad harvest, stock will be released from storage to meet the market demand," he said.