TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Minister of Agriculture, Devant Maharaj, has said that Trinidad and Tobago has benefited immensely from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Guyana’s Agriculture Ministry and its Trinidad & Tobago counterpart.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture at Regent and Vlissengen Roads in Bourda, Georgetown, Maharaj noted that everyone thought the initiative would remain an unachievable fine-sized goal, but they were proven wrong; and in fact he noted it reflected upon the Jagdeo Initiative, which was visionary at that time and is now stretching out in a tangible way.

He said the Trinidad Citrus Growers Association is already operating in Guyana in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), and it has earned the right to hold 1,000 acres of land, but, thus far, only 200 acres are under cultivation, although further expansion is expected in 2015.

Maharaj noted that pulping and juicing facilities, which will benefit both countries, are slated to come on stream in the expansions that would take place in 2015.

“Additionally, Trinidad imports 99% of its citrus fruits from Belize and Costa Rica, and we don’t see why we can’t import it (that same amount) from Guyana, because the Trinidadian investors are ready to put their money where their mouth is,” Maharaj said.

POULTRY BENEFITS
Maharaj also stated that when the MoU was signed in 2013, six commodities were identified for development, among which are corn, citrus fruits and soya beans. He said that corn in particular is being used for many purposes, and is in great demand on the World Market.

He noted that one of the main uses of corn within the Caribbean region is to make chicken feed, and the Caribbean particularly has a great demand for poultry meat. Therefore, he assured, if this venture is a success, the prices of corn and, furthermore, the prices of poultry would be kept under control, thus benefiting not just Guyana and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, but also the entire Caribbean.

(Navendra Seoraj)