Trinidad and Tobago: $4 billion import bill evidence of need for more domestic produce
“It is important that we in T&T look at substituting our imported produce. Many of you will know that our food import bill runs at about $4 billion a year.
The released figures come at the time when the country has just demonstrated that it can viably grow onions domestically for the first time.
The minister said that later this week that his ministry will be releasing its strategic plan for agriculture for 2012-2015. “Whether it is someone who wants to invest in this sector or a farmer, they can pick up this document (strategic plan) and see where the opportunities will be.”
he further said that it was crucial now to look at becoming more self sufficient as some countries around the world are looking more and more at conserving their own stocks instead of exporting, and that countries were purchasing land, as in Africa, where they could grow foods for their domestic market.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt
