Trinidad & Tobago

Country Profile

Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago are the southernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles chain, separated from Venezuela by 11 km (7 mi). The island of Trinidad is 30 km (19 mi from Tobago). The total land area covered by the twin island state is 5,128 km2 (1,980 mi2 - Trinidad covers 4,828 km2 (1,864 mi2) while Tobago covers 300 km2 (117 mi2). In Trinidad, the highest elevation reaches 940 m (3,085 ft). Tobago has scenic beaches and a main ridge of volcanic origin along the centre, reaching a maximum height of 549 m (1,800 ft). The dry season generally runs from January to May with a wet season from June to December. The annual rainfall is 1,869 mm (73.6 in). Trinidad & Tobago is endowed with rich deposits of oil and is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas. However, the Government has embarked on diversification efforts that include agriculture and manufacturing. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. Agriculture accounted for only about 1.0% of the GDP in 2006[1]. Trinidad & Tobago’s main export crops are sugar, cocoa, coffee and citrus. The unprofitability of sugar production and refining led the Government to downsize the industry in 2004/05. Flowers have also become an export commodity for the country and the Government has on-going plans to develop non-traditional agricultural crops for export as well. . Citrus and tomatoes were among the higher producing commodities. The economy of Trinidad & Tobago achieved a growth rate of 12% in 2006, mainly driven by the energy sector. The agricultural sector is reflecting the results of the structural transformation of the economy and will need to reinvent itself for survival.

CARDI Trinidad & Tobago Overview

The research and development thrust of the Trinidad & Tobago Unit has been on hot peppers, small ruminants and organic agriculture. The hot peppers programme has focused on selecting and stabilising the landraces of Trinidad and Tobago and compiling production and marketing tech-packs. The small ruminants programme has concentrated on improvements in nutrition, health and breed as a means of contributing to the development of the regional small ruminant industry. The Institute’s Organic Agronomist is resident in the Unit and has been spearheading the development of organic agricultural systems. Recently, the research and development portfolio of CARDI Trinidad and Tobago has expanded to include the validation and transfer of technologies for developing the sweet potato and cassava industries in the twin-island republic. Furthermore, the role of information services in the research and development processes is being emphasised by the Unit.

Work Programme for the Medium Term 2008-2010

Commodity development – Crops

Sweet potatoes

  • Establish sweet potato germplasm for multiplication and distribution

Cassava

  • Characterise and select cassava varieties for value added and fresh consumption

Hot peppers

  • Demonstrate and transfer improved hot pepper production technology in Tobago
  • Validate superior hot pepper lines

Vegetables

  • Demonstrate and transfer improved vegetable production technology in Tobago

Commodity development – Livestock

Small ruminants

  • Small ruminant industry development in Tobago
  • Characterise regional small ruminants industry
  • Validate and transfer Mulato grass as a suitable livestock forage
  • Support the national commercial small ruminants development project

Cattle

  • Support the development of the national dairy industry

Emerging Issues

Organics

  • Demonstrate and transfer improved organic production technology in Tobago

Information systems and services

  • Develop small ruminant farmers’ database
  • Develop hot pepper farmers’ database
  • Develop sweet potato farmers’ database

Country Highlight Reports

For highlights of work by the CARDI office in Trinidad and Tobago, Click here

 

CARDI Representative

  • CARDI Representative (Ag), Ms Janet Lawrence
  • Officer-in-Charge, Tobago Office, Mr Charles Smith

Contact Information

CARDI Trinidad
University Campus
St. Augustine
Trinidad & Tobago.
Phone: (868) 645-1205
Fax: (868) 645-1208
Email: jlawrence@cardi.org

CARDI Tobago
Blenheim Research Station
Mount St. George
Trinidad & Tobago.
Phone: (868) 660-2237
Fax: (868) 660-2462
Email: carditgo@tstt.net.tt

Partners and Collaborators


[1] UNECLAC 2007. Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2006-2007, (LC/CAR/L.138)