The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society (TTGSS), to create avenues to reduce the cost of meat while ensuring that the high quality of produce is maintained for consumers.
Minister Kazim Hosein, speaking during the launch of the initiative at the Sugarcane Feed Centre, in Longdenville on Monday, said: “This initiative is an extension of the Government’s farm-to-table project linking livestock farmers to the consumers to guarantee affordable, certified healthy meat for sale.”
Hosein said the project was all about “putting people first”, and through the National Agriculture Marketing Development Company (Namdevco), consumers can deal directly with fruit and vegetable farmers to purchase products.
He said they will be utilising the Sugarcane Feed Centre as a hub where consumers can deal directly with livestock farmers for fresh meats.
The minister estimated that the market value for goat and lamb was $50 and $45 per pound, respectively, but through the ministry’s initiative, consumers can purchase goat and lamb directly from goat and sheep farmers at $38 and $35 per pound respectively.
Hosein said this aligns with Caricom’s goal of reducing the regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 in an effort to achieve food security and nutrition for all.
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