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facilitate import of tilapia fingerlings and also included the training of
fisherfolk, promotion of products and quality assurance and control.
expenditure in the amount of $10 million was utilised for the continued
construction and upgrading of fishing facilities in Trinidad at ten (10) fishing
facilities and five (5) vessel repair facilities
research in the area of marine fisheries resources specifically shrimp and
groundfish was undertaken to provide adequate facilities at fish landing sites
to meet the required HACCP/EU standards. The main activity was the
establishment of a Data Resource Centre for Knowledge Sharing, Public
Education and Fisheries Biodiversity Management – Phase I.
53.
Project 5 Zero is an on-going social restructuring exercise being conducted within
five (5) communities of the North Coast of Trinidad. The five (5) communities to benefit
from this initiative are Toco, Matelot, Maracas, Las Cuevas and Blanchisseuse. For
Fiscal 2013, the project is addressing the immediate relief needs of fishermen at Matelot
and Toco. The Engine Locker Room Building at Matelot is being refurbished to provide
safe and secure storage for the fishermen‟s boat engines. Also a separate Net Repair
Facility is being constructed by the National Commission for Self-Help to provide a
secure location for storing and mending nets. At Toco, temporary storage for eight (8)
boat engines and other items has been provided through the purchase and modification of
a 20 foot container. Fishermen are also being sensitised to Good Seafood Vending
Practices through workshops conducted by SIDC.
Aquaculture Development
54.
Public stakeholder consultations were held to guide the revision of the draft of
Policy for Sustainable Aquaculture Development. Two (2) cycles of extension support
and training in commercial aquaculture were completed.
Research and Development
55.
Research and development to improve research facilities, quality of production
yields as well as to create new strains of crops, livestock and fisheries continued as a
priority for the Ministry of Food Production. The sum of $6.5 million was utilised in the
fiscal year 2013, for the following projects.
Livestock Improvement Programme
– An investment of $2 million
was
utilised for the improvement of 1km of roadway to dairy farms and for the
purchase of equipment namely: Milk Pasteurizers, an Electronic Scale, a
Water Heater, Shelving, a Microwave, Cold storage, as well as the
establishment of four (4) hectares of soiling grass and high protein shrubs
Integrated Pest Management Strategies
project utilised the sum of $1.5
million for Improved Crop Protection Public Awareness, production of pest
alerts, flyers and brochures. In addition monies were utilised on Laboratory
and Field Investigative Studies in the Red Palm Mite (RPM) programme and
