September 13, 2016:‘This is a most significant day, since at least $20 million in economic value is created today. I am here today because there is a lot of work to be done in livestock and to see for myself [the operations of our local livestock farmers]; [this is] an operation that has a good future in the hands of private farmers, with young people involved, and that is the direction that we need to see’ saidSenator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries who joined members of the Muslim community in celebrating Eid Al Adha on Monday 12th September, 2016 at the Livestock Farm of Mr. Shiraz Khan in Carlsen Field.
The Agriculture Minister also shared very explicit plans by the Ministry, based on dialogue with and recommendation by the local livestock farmers and industry expert, to implement an embryo transfer programme to assist with the improvement of local breeding stock. He said that ‘Government should reduce its involvement in terms of maintaining its own assets in livestock; what we should be doing is increasing our technical support, the number of Veterinarians we have available to the sector, [and our] research.’
Shiraz Khan, livestock farmer and Muslim devotee expressed his appreciation for the Minister’s presence, stating ‘thanks to the Minister for coming to see what is happening, we are very happy to have him; and we continue to do our service to Trinidad’.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries will continue its programme of active dialogue with the livestock farmers in our country.
Eid Al Adha is one of the holiest celebrations on the Islamic calendar; it is known as the Feast of Sacrifice. Muslims celebrate this day as a reminder of the time in which Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son but was told by God to sacrifice an animal instead. The celebration symbolizes Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah. Devotees start out the day with a morning prayer and then exchange gifts and food among family and friends.
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For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
868- 622-1221 ext.1167