The twin island of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is an oil and gas economy, meaning it relies on its natural resources and a lucrative energy sector for economic development.
This also means it is vulnerable to economic fragility, which – along with limited arable land – has led the government to pursue a blue economy, which promotes the development of marine resources, over a climate-friendly green economy. environment (
These sustainability obstacles, along with large emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases from the oil and gas sector, have kept T&T ranked middle or poor on the Yale Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for change climatic (2, 3).
Sustainability in this Caribbean nation is underdeveloped, but is being fostered through collaborative efforts of the private and public sectors, with a primary focus on agriculture.
Here are 5 organizations and farms leading sustainability efforts in Trinidad and Tobago.
The founder and CEO of non-profit group WhyFarm, Alpha Sennon is a self-described “agri-entrepreneur” in Trinidad and Tobago. He is also an Ashoka Fellow and a recipient of the CEMEX-TEC Award.
Ashoka is an organization that connects and supports the world’s leading social entrepreneurs and innovators, while CEMEX-TEC is a highly competitive international award that provides grants and seed capital to leading social entrepreneurs.
Agro-entertainment and education
WhyFarm’s catchphrase – “Plant a tree and eat for free” – says it all.
One of WhyFarm’s goals is to engage youth and support the agriculture sector through the succession of generations of farmers who will institutionalize sustainable agricultural practices.
“WhyFarm is a catalyst for inspiration in the agricultural sector and encourages citizens to make changes to eat and support local farmers,” says Sennon.
His team created AGRIman, the world’s first superhero for food and nutrition security, and focuses on educational and “agri-fun” campaigns, which combine eye-catching labels and graphics to creatively engage youth and policymakers.
WhyFarm uses a combination of traditional farming techniques and hydroponic systems for some of its projects.
Such a project is the first of its kind in T&T. The Culinary Medicine Food Park is located at San Fernando General Hospital and grows food through a hydroponic garden to supplement the hospital’s menu and reduce the food bill.
Additionally, WhyFarm’s Grown in East Port of Spain is a community garden and cooperative project funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that teaches community members home gardening and agricultural entrepreneurship.
In addition to the organization’s School of AgriCOOLture, it has helped start many kindergartens to teach basic farming techniques at the elementary school level.
WhyFarm has now expanded to Haiti, Rwanda and Zambia.
summary
WhyFarm is an award-winning non-profit organization that focuses on education and “agri-entertainment” to promote sustainable agriculture and a thriving agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago.
Boissierre Greens Earthworm Farm is a sustainable farming practice in Gran Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Exploring vermiculture
Vermiculture, also called vermicomposting, is an agricultural practice and organic waste management technique that uses earthworms to produce high-quality compost (
Earthworms feed on organic waste, such as vegetable peelings, garden dressings, animal manure and some types of paper, and produce casts that have a high mineral content and are used to fertilize plants.
Ragoonanan has designed bins suitable for home composting. Worm molds produced on his farm are available for purchase.
In addition, his company collaborates in recycling and organic waste management projects, such as the Tobago Recycling Resource Initiative, which encourages people to use marked recycling bins for plastic, aluminum, food containers and cardboard.
summary
Boissierre Greens Earthworm Farm uses vermiculture to produce high quality organic fertilizers that support plant growth. This farm also promotes recycling efforts throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Founded in 1990 by Ramgopaul and Beena Roop, Rocrops Agrotec is a small, family-owned farm that is leading the agroecological movement in Trinidad and Tobago.
What is agroecology?
Agroecology is a type of agricultural practice that combines the sciences of agronomy—the study of soil management and crop production—and ecology—the relationships between living organisms and their environment.
The farm was built on a former sugarcane plantation, and its owners rehabilitated degraded, acidic soils through systems such as fertilizing, which distributes precise amounts of water and fertilizer to avoid overuse (
In addition, the farm uses aromatic lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) as an inhibitor for the growth of weeds without the use of herbicides. Lemon also has many potential health benefits (
This rehabilitation has facilitated the growth of vegetables, herbs, tropical fruits and citrus fruits such as limes. The farm produces high-quality, pesticide-free crops year-round.
This style of farming relies on the biodiversity of the natural ecosystem to support agricultural production. It is a potential model to improve public health through increased and reliable access to nutritious, local foods (
As such, Rocrops Agrotec is environmentally friendly and a model for agroecology as a sustainable practice that is also economically sound.
summary
Rocrops Agrotec is a family-owned farm that uses agroecological techniques to produce high-quality, pesticide-free crops from former sugarcane fields damaged by years of overuse.
Green Age Farms is an award-winning vertical hydroponic farming system created by Kevin Singh and Faariah Khan-Singh.
What is vertical hydroponic farming?
Vertical farming is a climate-controlled farming system that promotes sustainability by using vertical spaces—rather than large acreage—to grow crops, thereby reducing the land needed for crop production.
For example, these hydroponic systems are placed in small spaces inside homes, backyard gardens, classroom gardens, and greenhouses.
Green Age Farms uses a drip hydroponic system—a popular technique that uses mineral solutions instead of soil—to deliver high crop yields.
This farm also uses stackable pots for vertical farming, and supplies and installs vertical hydroponic systems and greenhouse supplies for small-scale and commercial farms, popularizing these sustainable methods across the country.
summary
Green Age Farms is a hydroponics company that is diversifying T&T’s sustainable agriculture sector through resource-efficient vertical farming for both small-scale and commercial farms.
Nourish TT was founded by a group of Trinidadians with a shared vision to reduce food waste and alleviate hunger in Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the World Bank, up to one-third of global food processed for human consumption is wasted or lost, and the United Nations’ 2021 food waste report showed that 61% of food waste comes from households (12, 13).
In Trinidad and Tobago, nearly 7.5% of the population is malnourished, and it is estimated that over 100,000 tons (100 million kg) of household food waste occurs each year (13, 14).
Food waste management
Nourish TT bridges the gap between high rates of hunger and food waste by connecting companies with surplus food to charities in underserved communities through its app. In this way, good food that would otherwise have been thrown away is made available to those who need it most.
In addition to fruits, vegetables and meat — fresh, dried or canned — Nourish TT distributes packages of household, baby and pharmaceutical staples.
To date, this organization has donated over 250,000 meals and strives to evolve food waste management in Trinidad and Tobago to reduce hunger.
summary
Nourish TT is redefining food waste management in Trinidad and Tobago by connecting underserved communities with sources of surplus food, thereby reducing hunger.
Agricultural sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago is in its developing stages.
However, thanks to the work of several non-profit organizations and companies, many Trinbagonians are working to promote vertical farming, reduce food waste, support hydroponic growing and use other methods to connect people to the land they live on and the food they eat. eat
All these efforts are leading Trinidad and Tobago to a future of sustainability with a focus on agricultural advancement.
