May 2016


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Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Clarence Rambharat, says his Ministry pledges to implement good governance and structure as the driving forces for the growth of the cocoa industry. The Minister spoke at The UWI’s Cocoa Research Centre’s (CRC) second symposium, organized by the CRC’s International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC) on April 6, and he said the goal is strengthening Trinidad and Tobago as a Cocoa Centre of Excellence dedicated to technology and innovative development.

The symposium presented the CRC's work by its scientists, associates and graduate students in research and development. It included subjects like cashing in on the International Cocoa Gene Bank’s location in Trinidad, building resistance to disease, climate change mitigation, quality management and certification in the industry and along the value chain, understanding genetic origin, diversity and food and beverage product development.

Among the presenters at the symposium, “Supporting Economic Diversification along the Cocoa Value Chain through Research Innovation,” were Dr. Rikhi Permanand, CEO, Economic Development Advisory Board, who shared the work of the Ministry's Central Experimental Station towards organising and supporting 12 cocoa clusters throughout Trinidad. Ms. Karen Lee Lum, Project Manager of the IFCIC presented a Labour Resolution Model coming out of consultation with small, medium and large estates. Ms. Jude Lee Sam of the Montserrat Cocoa Growers' Cooperative shared their model. Ms. Ashley Parasram, of the Trinidad & Tobago Fine Cocoa Company Ltd, shared lessons from a private sector perspective. Mr Shyamal Chandradathsingh of InvesTT shared his agency's focus on being a transformative force in the cocoa sector by bringing both local and foreign investment to the sector and strengthening our presence in the export market. Dr Darin Sukha of the CRC shared the Centre's many programmes targeted at building the quality and developmental capacity of micro and small entrepreneurs in value addition, not the least of which is building value chain connectivity.