With hundreds of fields of fresh produce destroyed by flooding since the start of the rainy season, farmers are sounding the alarm that food prices will continue to rise. However, they are also threatening to down their tool until the dry season is approaching, saying it makes no sense to continue to suffer losses due to the losses being brought about by flood damage.
Sill Farmers Support Group president Bindra Maharaj told Guardian Media yesterday that recent flooding in areas across the country had impacted a considerable number of his membership, who have now lost fields of crops.
“People have taken a position, the farmers that is, they have decided not to plant any more for the balance of the year because of the losses, its serious losses. Farmers are going to be very adamant about it, they have said that if you go back and plant and the projection is for more rain until the end of the year, it just doesn’t make financial sense,” Maharaj said.
The farmers’ complaints about substantial losses and the threat to stop planting food comes ahead of an anticipated bumper Christmas harvest.
Maharaj explained that over 1,000 members across the country have been left reeling from climate change, poor infrastructure and unapproved housing developments.
He explained that despite farmers’ attempts to preserve their crops, the wrath of Mother Nature was too much to bear.
“Most of the farmers I know went and bought Bioforge to try and rejuvenate their plants and you know what, more rain came, more flooding came and that has gone through the window. That is the extent of damage we are talking about, we are talking about millions of dollars,” he said.
He also cautioned that the effects of the recent flooding will be far-reaching.
“I’m going to be frank with you, apart from a shortage of food coming into Trinidad, if you speak to wholesalers, wholesalers are talking about a shortage of goods to sell,” he said.
Maharaj noted that urgent intervention is needed to ensure farmers can continue operations.
Responding to questions about the losses farmers have incurred in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said the necessary assessments will be conducted to reduce disruptions to the country’s food supply.
“That assistance will be made available as quickly as possible to ensure the farmers will get back on their feet as is necessary to ensure their output for the country is available,” Rowley said.
The PM said the Government wanted to take every step in restarting agricultural production after the rains and flooding.
“And we expect those who haven’t been flooded won’t take the opportunity to price gouge as the shortage occurs in these situations where some farmers have lost crops,” he said.
“We expect the market will be reasonable and buyers will beware of what is happening in the marketplace. But production will be encouraged, especially in the case of vegetables and so on.”
Rowley said it will be determined who’s in line to be assisted with flood compensation and who legitimately qualifies for assistance and that assistance would be made available as quickly as possible.
