FEATURE ADDRESS of Senator the Honourable Devant Maharaj Minister of Food Production - Distribution of Imported Pregnant Heifers to Local Dairy Producers (September 5th, 2014) In 2013 the Ministry of Food Production’s Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) and Nestle Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase the importation of dairy cows into this country with the purpose of increasing milk production locally. This administration understands that our nation’s agriculture sector is at a critical juncture as we are faced with variety of challenges stemming from years of neglect and a lack of political will to get things going. But as you are quite aware, an initiative such as this one is evidence that this Government continues to address this neglect. We are delivering on our promise to you! In July 2014 the Ministry of Food Production received thirty (30) pregnant Jersey heifers from Pennsylvania, USA and today, I am pleased to update you on this initiative. Upon arrival, the cows were held in a 30-day quarantine period (right here) at Centeno Livestock Station in keeping with international requirements to ensure that the animals are disease free. Additionally, during this period a management team, which included a veterinary surgeon, was hired to oversee the project. From August 22nd, 2014 the thirty (30) Jersey cows were able to be released from quarantine. As we continue to implement strategic measures to make Trinidad and Tobago a food secure nation, it is important to understand why the importation of these Jersey cows is significant. Jersey cows were selected since they are known to have the best disposition of all dairy cows, easy calving, early maturation and high fertility. In addition, they are efficient in milk production which is rich and creamy. Jersey cows naturally produce the highest quality milk for human consumption. Therefore, these cows will facilitate increased production of quality milk and aid the local dairy industry in their goal of providing nutritious and adequate quantities of milk for our citizenry. In addition Jersey cows are bred using artificial insemination which has several benefits. Numerous reports reflect that Jersey cows are also renowned for their longevity, having on average five calves. The cost for the purchase of the pregnant heifers is $114,577 US and it was shared among the Ministry of Food Production, Nestle Trinidad Limited and the thirteen (13) selected farmers who supply Nestle with milk. Quarantine expenses were absorbed by the Ministry of Food Production. All these efforts are in keeping with the Ministry of Food Production’s National Food Production Action Plan 2012 – 2015, which highlights increasing the local production levels of dairy cattle for milk as a main developmental area for creating a food secure nation as well as the the long term goal of reducing the food import bill. Ladies and gentlemen, The Ministry of Food Production offers a wide range of services to create and sustain an enabling environment for our nation’s agri-entrepreneurs. For, instance the selected farmers either paid cash for their animals or accessed farm development loans such as Dairy Gro’ Loan through the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB). All 30 animals will be distributed; actually some farmers have already collected their livestock. Thus far the policy direction of this administration complimented by the hard work of the Ministry of Food Production’s staff and the nations farmers have been able to contribute to a well performing agriculture sector. Provisional data obtained from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago on the quarterly GDP showed that the agriculture sector, for the first time in forty (40) years experienced five (5) consecutive quarters of growth from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013! Furthermore, the Summary of Economic Indicators for September 2013 showed that growth for the first three quarters of 2013 remained positive and steady! Furthermore, the food inflation rate continues to be single digits for the first half of the year, at 3.5% in June 2014. This is the first time in twenty-one (21) years that the food inflation rate has remained at single digits for the first six months in the year! Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you!
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 19:57:25 +0000
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