The introduction of a special praedial larceny court, proper training for cocoa farmers and a ready supply of labour for cocoa estates are some of the factors needed to promote the success of cocoa in T&T.
This according to President Anthony Carmona, who addressed cocoa farmers at the awards presentation and cocktail reception in celebration of T&T Cocoa Excellency last week Tuesday at the Southern Academy for Performing Arts (Sapa) in San Fernando.
Carmona said the cocoa industry can ease T&T out of tough economic times and also mentioned that both he and his wife, Reema Carmona, are registered farmers.
Recalling his childhood days growing up and going to school on cocoa estates, Carmona said the casting aside of the cocoa industry in favour of the oil industry has now come back to haunt T&T.
“The history of our cocoa and coffee is a bittersweet one. One town, among many, that exemplifies that history is Fyzabad. In the early 20th century, Fyzabad experienced a type of degenerative growth ignited by a movement from cocoa estates to oil wells. And oil grew to the detriment of cocoa...it all changed and has now come full circle to haunt us all.”
“Fyzabad radically morphed into an oil drum, where black gold took ascendancy over brown gold and invariably that majestic Godineau River that used to carry cocoa on plantations from Avocat to the Old St John’s Estate, lost it economic relevance.”
However, he urged farmers not to wallow in the past but to look at strategies to sell T&T’s cocoa on the international markets.
“Today we can correct that era of blind vision, where they refused to have cocoa and oil walk hand in hand. We have the Trinitario cocoa, a hybrid form and a unique blend and the noble Criollo. High-quality cocoa such as this must be strategically sold in the world market to gain maximum profitably.
“That means, as some suggest, low volumes sold at a high price to select chocolatiers to secure a reputation and a select market for our cocoa beans. At this stage in our nation’s history, cocoa production can compete significantly with oil, as a premium revenue earner.”
In addition to proper training for farmers by the Ministry of Agriculture to maintain international benchmark standards in cocoa farming, Carmona said the introduction of a praedial larceny court could also serve as an incentive to farmers to invest in cocoa farming.
“In T&T, productive agriculture lands have suffered from the ravages of praedial larceny and, as such, there is a risk that cocoa and coffee can be at a risk from those with a thirst for brown gold. Praedial larceny can diffuse passion and destroy the dreams of the farmer.”
“There is a need to expand, equip and properly train praedial larceny squads and have them deployed to farming districts. There may also be a need for a special praedial larceny court to handle this disincentive to productive farming because such culprits need to be investigated, apprehended, charged and prosecuted expeditiously to have the desired deterrent effect.”
Carmona also called for the protection of prime agricultural lands, saying houses should not be built on these lands.
The Awardees
The awardees were recognised after their cocoa bean samples were selected by the Cocoa of Excellence (CoEx) Programme in 2015.
The programme is an entry point to the International Cocoa Awards and recognises diversity in cocoa flavours around the world.
List of awardees:
• Harryman and Christine Chattergoon of the Tabaquite Fermentary in Mamoral/ Flanagin Town;
• Charles Merry of the Stollmeyer Estate in Santa Cruz;
• Christine Chattergoon of the Tabaquite Fermentary in Mamoral/Flanagin Town;
• Dr Audine Mootoo of the La Reunion Estate;
• Kailash Winklaar, Quincy Winklaar and Kampta Persaud of the San Juan Estate in Gran Couva.