With agriculture identified as a main pillar by the Government in its diversification thrust and with a new minister at the helm, stakeholders want impediments to be more effectively addressed during Government’s mid-year budget review.
Dr Mark Wuddivira, head of the Department of Food Production at UWI, St Augustine said the greatest challenges to agriculture remain the weak implementation of policy recommendations, the slow rate of refunds under the agricultural incentive programme, weak technology transfer, the escalating costs of inputs (fertilizers, agrochemicals, fuel) and poor access roads that negatively impact farmers’ vehicles.
Also, he added that without a water for agriculture policy, farmers continue to be limited to rainfed agriculture systems.
Wuddivira noted that there continues to be a disconnect between developmental agencies, State entities and academic institutions, urging that common goals must be established and achieved.
The head of UWI’s food production department reminded that vegetable prices continue to fluctuate between the extremes in highs and lows and explains that under such conditions, it becomes extremely difficult for downstream processors to set prices for their products, adding they often turn to international suppliers for their raw materials.
Another consequence of these extremes in price fluctuations is it makes it difficult to build a sustainable presence in the export of fresh produce for which the country may have some advantage like hot peppers.
He said local marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables is largely concentrated to wholesale, retail, and farmers markets with less than 15 per cent of locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables being sold on the higher end of the market such as supermarkets, hotels, and fast food outlets.
Wuddivira argued that market penetration has been made even more difficult since locally produced agricultural products are not grown to any standardized system, which must be addressed.
Citing that “production is only half the battle” Wuddivira said post-harvest losses along the domestic supply chain challenges contribute to over 25 per cent in losses of fruits and vegetables and in some cases, losses may be as high as 40 per cent.
“While locally produced meats do enjoy a niche market as ‘fresh,’ the production capacity is still low and contributes less than 15 per cent of the total quantity of meat products consumed in T&T,” he said.
Further, to ensure the sector becomes more efficient he said there is a dire need for modern packhouses to effectively facilitate the proper pretreatment and postharvest storage requirements of local fruits and vegetables.
Praedial larceny, Wuddivira also added, continues to be a major disincentive for farmers who can lose as much as 40 per cent of their entire crop or suffer significant financial losses to their livestock as well as run the risk of losing their lives.
And on a larger scale, Wuddivira said this country’s marketing of local fresh produce to international markets is stymied by the absence of adherence to internationally recognized Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) such as the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA) and Global Gap.
“Although the country has a GAPs standard, implementation has been a serious challenge,” Wuddivira also identified.
Taking agriculture to the next level
According to Wuddivira formal relationships with tertiary institutions to promote capacity building and increased interest, marketability of agricultural programmes are vital going forward.
Also, he said innovative techniques and strategies must be incorporated into the sector, for example wastewater reuse, as water remains one of the main limiting factors for year-round production.
Other factors which the Government must consider include increasing intra-regional agricultural trade and investing in the entire supply chain, from farm to fork, Wuddivira emphasised.
“As it stands much of the focus is on production, some effort needs to be placed on the processing and marketing,” he posited.
Wuddivira advised there ought to be a modernising of agricultural marketing where credible data plays a greater role as well as the setting-up of certified seedling operation for crops such as cocoa, citrus and other fruit crops with strict auditable compliance.
He suggested the dairy industry should be revitalised with a greater reliance on high-quality forage and less dependence of concentrate feeds.
Regarding the impact on higher fuel prices on the industry, agricultural economist Dr Omardath Maharaj said the Government should consider staggering fuel prices for food production.
He explained that the Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Finance, Energy and National Security should establish a working committee to develop a methodology which guarantees fuel prices and delivery systems to the men and women that work to feed the country.
He said the proposed committee should also submit a copy of the implementing guidelines and reports to Parliament and it should also oversee the crafting and finalisation of the guidelines, programmes and penalties for abuse and mismanagement.
“To claim the fuel discount, officers would issue fuel vouchers (amount to be determined) to qualified beneficiaries. The officers will secure the validated list of fisher folk with registered boats from the Fisheries Division to identify recipients. Beneficiaries from the crop and livestock sector will also be identified following a set of criteria for selection,” Maharaj further explained.
He also recommended that a pilot exercise for six months with appropriate surveillance be conducted with gas stations in Moruga, Orange Valley, Mayaro, Toco, Tabaquite, Barrackpore, Endeavour, Mc Bean and Trincity as these are in proximity to major fishing areas and agricultural food crop projects.
Maharaj cited that last month, the Philippine Department of Agriculture announced a US$10 million fuel subsidy initiative for farmers and fisher folks to reduce production costs.
Steps made by the Government
According to Wuddivira the Government has made some efforts to improve the sector including steps to action the $500 million set aside for rural access road as well an animal composting waste project that demonstrates best practices.
Also, he identified that the public-private partnership between Government and Aripo farms continue with the procurement of 100 Holstein cows to boost local milk production.
He noted there continues to be public-private partnership to establish a technology driven sprouting operation which has started in lands belonging to the St Augustine nurseries.
Wuddivira added that Government must be lauded for its numerous community outreach training and capacity building activities.
