Providenciales, 07 Dec 2015 – The Department of Agriculture has a new director and with the appointment of Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh there is expected to be a more serious approach to growing the sector.
Kissoonsingh is touted has having the ideal background working in the private sector as an agronomist, one who has developed research techniques and the new director is credited with implementing agriculture programs in Trinidad.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Wesley Clerveaux said, “…we need to implement new and innovative techniques to produce food in a sustainable way. Investment in Agriculture as an engine for sustainable development has been very low in the past but the potential is there, it is anticipated that the new Director of Agriculture will lobby for and support its further development within the public sector.”
Ms. Kissoonsingh agrees, citing already some hurdles and the need to be bigger producers of home grown food due to escalations in food prices globally, “There are many challenges to producing food in TCIG such as soil type and fertility, lack of modern farming techniques and limited institutional support to name a few.
In my new role, I intend to develop an Agriculture Policy and programs to address these issues.” End quote.
Ms. Kissoonsingh has been in her new position since October 1st.
