October 17, 2016: ‘The responsibility passes to our younger ones to help us do the right things in our country to escape the ravages of climate change’ said Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in his Feature Address delivered at the Ministry’s event in commemoration of World Food Day (WFD) 2016 on Sunday October 16, 2016 at the Caroni Swamp Visitor’s Centre. This year, the Ministry’s World Food Day celebration targeted youths from across the country and focused ‘on the combination of feeding the country, preserving our marine environment, preserving our forestry environment and allowing the young people to encourage us as adults to do the right thing’.
This year’s WFD theme ‘Climate is changing, Food and Agriculture must too’ highlights how food and agriculture need to adapt to climate change in order to feed a growing global population in a sustainable way. ‘Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land are all integrated’, said the Minister,thus the celebration of World Food Day with a tour of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, led by the Forestry Division of the Ministry. The Minister also referenced the 1980 classic, titled ‘Progress’, by the late Calypsonian ‘King Austin’, which speaks about species being on the brink of being extinct, the impact of progress, our ability or inability to feed ourselves and the impact on birds and wildlife. Evidence that the conversation on climate change is not a new one but it is one that can impact us and our lives.
A poem, titled ‘What Next’, was presented by Ms. Asha Ramnath, a Geography student of Form 2R and a member of the Eco Activists Club, Naparima Girls’ High School.
Other speakers will include Dr. Lystra Fletcher-Paul, Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean and FAO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; and Mr. John Radgman, Conservator of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.
The event included free tours of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary to young environmentalists, along with their parents and teachers. Represented at the event were young persons of the 4H Clubs, Barrackpore Police Youth Club, ASJA Girls High School and the Eco-Activist Club of the Naparima Girls High School. On each of the eight (8) touring boats, visitors were provided with an interpretive talk, which outlined the importance of our mangrove forests; which are the guardians of tropical coastlines and are among the many ecosystems that will be lost or negatively affected by climate change unless adaptive management strategies are developed for them. Many human livelihoods will be affected as well. Mangroves occur most extensively on low-energy, sedimentary shorelines of the tropics. Their unusual aerial roots are an adaptation to their salty environment. These trees act as nurseries for fish and invertebrate species, and they control aspects of water chemistry in coastal zones. They provide food, fuel and other services to human communities. And they serve as a critical buffer against storms and other extreme events.
Among the audience of three hundred plus were Mrs. Angela Siew, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Mr. Claudelle Mc Kellar, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Mr. Gregg Rawlins, Representative, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture; Mr. Barton Clarke, Executive Director, Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute; and Mr. Dennis Ramdeen, Chairman, NAMDEVCO.
World Food Day (WFD), established in 1979, is intended to provide an opportunity for Governments to review their national plans for agriculture, food and nutrition issues.
Agriculture Minister presents a fruit and vegetable hamper to a young member of the 4H Club
Minister Rambharat joins a tour the Caroni Bird Sanctuary.
Minister Rambharat with students and teachers of ASJA Girls.
Catch of the day: Minister Rambharat hoists in his catch, fishing is one of the activities allowed in special areas of the Caroni Swamp.
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For further information please contact:
The Communications and Events Unit
Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
868-622-1221