September 29, 2016:‘Labour and improved access roads are what we need in this sector’ were the words of the cocoa farmers from Tabaquite to CDCTTL’s Chairman, Mr. Winston Rudder and other members of the Board during a Stakeholder Session held at the Tabaquite Community Centre on Monday 19th September, 2016. One farmer even suggested that outstanding farmers be recognized through an Award granted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, which can serve as an‘incentive, an encouragement to the farmer to produce better quality produce’.
In a two-hour session, the third facilitated thus far by CDCTTL’s Board of Directors, the farmers gathered expressed their expectations of this newly installed Board. CDCTTL’s Director, Mr. Fitz Clarence Waldropt said to the farmers that ‘we are all here to help you. We have the best cocoa in the world but we have to maintain that’. Only five percent of the world’s cocoa produced is considered fine or flavor cocoa; and Trinidad and Tobago holds the distinction as one of only nine countries whose produce is considered 100% fine or flavor.
There is a global demand for this product and new markets in places such as Russia and Saudi Arabia are opening up to cocoa exporters.
To address the main concerns expressed by farmers, in the three sessions held thus far, the Board of CDCTTL has been front stage and centre in promoting the many and varied value add opportunities available in the sector. This through participation in the Trade and Investment Convention held in July this year. Also, CDCTTL will participate in UWI Cocoa Research Centre’s World Cocoa and Chocolate Day celebrations on September 30th and October 1st.
Moreso, as was clearly enunciated by the Chairman, CDCTTL has been advocating with buying agents, fermentary operators and Cocoa and Coffee Cooperatives to ensure that there is a ready market for the 2016/2017 crop.
CDCTTL has also been in contact with the Ministry’s County Offices with a view to positively influencing the priority areas addressed on the issue of agricultural access roads.
The Cocoa Research Unit of the Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has the longest ongoing cocoa breeding program in the world; and research officers train and teach cocoa farmers in cocoa agronomy and improving the variety and sizes of cocoa pods, and providing more disease resistant cocoa trees.
Led by Mr. Winston Rudder, Chairman, the CDCTTL Directors present were Mr. Kamaldeo Maharaj, Mr. Glen Beckles and Mr. Fitz Clarence Waldropt.
CDCTTL continues its Road Show … sharing the ‘Cocoa Revolution’ message; next stop Moruga, Arima, Sangre Grande and Tobago.
CDCTTL Directors engage in discussions with members of the audience.
Members of the audience/Farmers make contributions during the Stakeholder Session.
Members of the audience/Farmers make contributions during the Stakeholder Session.
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For further information please contact:
The Cocoa Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (CDCTTL)
868-671-1001