Much has been said and needs to be said in recent times about the role both tourism and agriculture have to play in our current do or die diversification effort. For tourism to really thrive we must make significant improvements in the following areas:
1. The crime rate has to come way down.
2. The environment must be cleaned up and maintained in a reasonably pristine manner. This has to include a near cessation of forest fires.
3. Event Tourism must be marketed relentlessly.
4. We must improve our national standards in all areas, especially washroom and changing facilities at our beaches and other attractions.
5. Our roads and transportation systems must be upgraded.
Now, while improving our tourism product is vital, a virtual revolution in agriculture is absolutely imperative for the long term success and stability of T&T.
In this regard, I would like to suggest the following policy initiatives be urgently considered:
• Rent available and suitable Government owned agricultural land at highly subsidised rates to qualifying farmers.
• Provide reasonable incentives so that all inputs to agricultural enterprises are very affordable.
• Grant tax free status to all qualifying bonafide agricultural enterprises.
• Mandate by law that 15 per cent of the loan portfolios of all commercial banks must be made to agricultural enterprises.
The last point is the most important as this will ensure that the banks develop agricultural experts who will go out into the field to help fuel the success of our new generation of farmers.
Clifton Balkaran
Via email