Trinidad and Tobago appoints 14-member committee to tackle rising food crisis  

Trinidad and Tobago: In a strategic move to tackle the rising food crisis, the government appointed 14 new members to the food security and price committee on Monday.

The initiative has been led by agricultural minister Kazim Hosien, who handed over the appointment letters at the Ministry of Agriculture in Chaguanas.

The newly appointed team include experts from agriculture, nutrition, economics, and trade and consumer advocacy. This new committee is said to be led by the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO).

Hosein noted this step as a significant move towards mitigating rising food costs in the nation. He further stated that the committee has plans to formulate necessary strategies and solutions to stabilize this growing concern.

“This was a pivotal step to achieve our goals and to ensure that the food we eat is nutritious and affordable at the same time,” Hosein stated.

Several challenges including food inflation, supply chain interruptions, and geopolitical conflicts are regarded as the major and daunting challenges impacting food availability and security.

Hosein further responded, “We highly rely on importing our food, which costs more than $5 billion annually and it further complicates the already ignited concern.”

The complete cabinet includes a Chairperson, Nirmalla Debysingh who is also the Chief Executive Officer of NAMDEVCO, Vice Chairperson, Nigel Grimes, who is a Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.

Ava Mahabir-Dass – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry

Andy Mendez – Supervisor (Ag.), Customs and Excise Division, Ministry of Finance

Hayden Hurdle – Accountant, Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

Keisha Roberts – University of Trinidad and Tobago

Sharon D. Hutchinson – Faculty of Agriculture, University of the West Indies

Rajiv Díptee – Past President, Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago

Vernon Persad – Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago

Roger Roach – President, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association

Kavi Panday – Chief Executive Officer, Massy Stores (Trinidad)

Siti Jones-Gordon – Head of Corporate Affairs, Nestle Trinidad and Tobago

Alpha Sennon – Agricultural Entrepreneur

Maxslon Roberts – Agricultural Entrepreneur (Tobago)

The wide variation in the new staff is a strategic move to combat the surging issue as it will help to receive different perspectives from everyone to address food prices.