CAF-FAO led digitization project for agribusiness sector successfully concludes with launch of extension services and online repository
July 31, 2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CAF -development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean-, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and the Tobago House of Assembly celebrated the successful completion of the “Digitization and Innovation for the Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Agribusiness Sector in Trinidad and Tobago” project. The closing ceremony, that took place on the 29th of July, marked a significant milestone in the country's efforts to modernize and enhance the agricultural sector.
The project seeks to support the Government in enhancing food and nutrition security by building the skills and knowledge of value chain actors and providing evidence-based pilots to scale up local production and reduce demand for food imports. The outcome is increased availability of local produce/commodities and products on the local market.
The project, funded by CAF, strengthened the digitization of value chains, e-Extension services and new agriculture production models. Through several national workshops and train-the-trainer programmes, the project has successfully produced an online repository for agriculture information in addition to the procurement of technical equipment for government agencies – including IT equipment, food safety testing equipment and itinerary tools. The online repository can be accessed by farmers/public via this link: https://biolink.cloud/MALF-Repository-Main-Home
Nirmalla Debysingh, CEO, Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) noted that the project “has been a transformative journey aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of our business sector.”
Assemblyman Natisha Charles-Pantin, Secretary for Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly was in full praise of the partnership with CAF, which funded three pilots in Tobago.
“These systems have proven invaluable, especially during the recently concluded dry season by effectively managing water resources and mitigating some of the impacts of climate change. The successful implementation of these projects highlights the promising future for agricultural development in Tobago, with plans to expand production to areas such as the Grove Estate in Goldsborough,” she noted.
Bernardo Requena, CAF Trinidad & Tobago Representative noted that the partnership “made an important contribution to the country’s food security through the implementation of a comprehensive project in the field of digitalization and agricultural technology.”
In addition, Mr Requena added: “CAF –Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean- is proud to have played a part in this significant milestone. Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing our support for the initiative to drive sustainable development and economic diversification of Trinidad and Tobago. Together we can achieve a future where food security is a reality for this beautiful country.”
The successful completion of the “project represents a significant step forward in the country's efforts to modernize its agribusiness sector. It underscores the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and international partners in driving innovation and sustainability.
The FAO and CAF extend its gratitude to Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), The Ministry of Finance, and the Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development of Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for their invaluable contributions to the project's success. Through such partnerships, the FAO remains committed to supporting the growth and development of the agribusiness sector through innovative initiatives and digital transformation.