How practical is it really for Trinidad?

Hey, Kristen here. In the previous posts we’ve seen some interesting points about GMO’s and all the great implications they pose for Trinidad. They sound like the miracle solution to Trinidad’s food security issues.

An obvious question - “Why aren’t we already using GMO’s?” 😐

While there are many factors contributing to GM crops being underutilized, I’d like to look at the lack of economic diversification being a major factor.

The island of Trinidad relies so heavily on oil and gas to create revenue that other sectors, like the agricultural sector, has been underdeveloped as a result. To see just how underdeveloped, a quick search on the web can show the staggering disparity. For both the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, oil and gas is responsible for about 40% of the GDP. On the other hand, agriculture is responsible for only 0.5% of the GDP.😓 Each consequent budget also makes it astoundingly clear that agriculture is not currently the priority.

Trinidad's budget in 2014. Sadly, the size of the agricultural sector has not increased over the years

How exactly are these numbers so different?

Oil and gas - the valuable commodity that was in excessive abundance and pushed us from developing to a developed country; It made us wealthy. So why would we put time and energy into anything else? The use of past tense should give a clue as to why we should’ve done so.

Presently, oil and gas is being used up faster than it can be replenished, leaving the country in a recession and nothing to turn to. The lack of our economic diversity is now blindingly apparent.

Furthermore, farmers in Trinidad mainly practice small scale farming and sell their goods in the local markets. The lack of real support and incentive from the government has pushed more of the workforce away from agriculture and towards jobs seen as less labour-intensive. Is there a ready and willing workforce for these new farms?

Debe Market in Triinidad

At this point in time, the future of GM crops in Trinidad seems far and tenuous. There are many other limiting factors (which will be looked at in future posts).

However, the question remains – is growing GM crops the most practical choice for Trinidad?

K.M.

Sources

CIA World Factbook, Index Mundi, Trinidad and Tobago Economy Profile 2017, Retrieved from: http://www.indexmundi.com/trinidad_and_tobago/economy_profile.html

Images

INFOGRAPHIC: Highlights of Budget 2013-2014, Retrieved from:
http://www.investt.co.tt/blog/investt-blog/2013/september/infographic-budget-2014-highlights

Piccadilly, Jorge (2013-2014), Trip suggest, Debe Destination Guide, Retrieved: http://trip-suggest.com/trinidad-and-tobago/trinidad-and-tobago-general/debe/