PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries, Ravi Ratiram, is calling for closer collaboration as regional countries seek to reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides while protecting both crops and ecosystems.
Addressing the regional consultation of the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), which concludes here on Thursday, Ratiram stated that chemical pesticides have played a role in increasing yields; however, their risks to health, trade, and ecosystems are well recognized.
“The international community, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, is now committed to reducing these risks through innovation, stronger policy frameworks, and sustainable alternatives.”
He said that CABI has been a trusted partner of the ministry “for many years” and that. Through collaboration on plant health, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and capacity building, CABI has supported “our efforts to strengthen food security and agricultural trade.
“In this new and expanded offering on pesticide risk reduction, we see further opportunities to deepen this partnership by developing practical solutions that safeguard our farmers, protect consumers, and ensure that our produce meets the highest international standards.
“We recognise that the task before us cannot be undertaken in isolation. A partnership between regulators, researchers, the private sector, financial institutions, and our farming communities is essential. By working together, we can design and implement solutions that protect livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and support the sustainable transformation of our food systems, truly reflecting the principle of working in partnership for a safe and sustainable future”.
Ratiram said that as the global population moves towards an estimated 10 billion people by the 2080s, the demand for safe and sustainable food production continues to rise.
“Farmers in Trinidad and Tobago and across the region face the challenge of protecting crops from pests, diseases, and invasive species while at the same time safeguarding human health, the environment, and biodiversity,” he added.
Ratiram stated that the Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Fisheries will soon introduce Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) testing, utilizing newly acquired equipment to conduct pesticide residue testing for a wide range of chemicals.
“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that agricultural produce meets the highest safety standards. Additionally, in collaboration with CABI, our Ministry has adopted the use of Novacrid, a bio-pesticide, for locust control. This sustainable approach exemplifies the kind of innovation and partnership needed to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while protecting both crops and ecosystems.”
The conference is being held under the theme “Working in partnership for a safe and sustainable future” and brings together representatives of CABI member countries, regional and international organisations, senior government officials, researchers, and other key stakeholders.
The event provides a platform for dialogue on some of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture, including pest and disease management, invasive species, food safety, pesticide risk reduction, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
The organisers say it also seeks to strengthen partnerships and identify collaborative solutions that protect livelihoods, safeguard ecosystems, and build resilience across the region’s food systems.
CABI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Daniel Elger, commended the collaborative efforts within the region, emphasizing the importance of innovative and science-based approaches to strengthening food and nutrition security.
The conference will feature technical sessions, panel discussions, and country reports, culminating in a field visit to the Nariva Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago’s largest freshwater wetland and a designated Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
and then 