There are plans to position Tobago as a leader in agri-tech innovation and regional climate resilience.
In this vein, the THA Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development’s newly-established Tobago Agri-Technology Services Limited Company hosted the first Tobago Agri-Tech Innovation Summit.
The two-day event was held at the Shaw Park Complex on December 2nd and 3rd.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Secretary of Food Security, Nathisha Charles-Pantin, said the event’s theme, ‘Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation in Agriculture,’ is fitting.
“Tobago and the Caribbean region are already grappling with its effects. Rising sea levels, and I’m sure you’ve heard about the coral bleaching that we are having, 80 to 90 percent of the corals already bleached, unpredictable weather patterns, and we are all experiencing that, and increased agricultural vulnerability.”
Mrs. Pantin noted while there are persons championing the cause to address climate change, all Tobagonians have a place in actively joining the fight. She said the Summit will make this a reality.
“This Summit exemplifies how Tobago can be a transformative force leveraging our size, resilience, and determination to lead in climate-smart agriculture not just within the Caribbean, but on a global stage. Today, we have brought together leading experts, farmers, students, and academics under one roof to explore how technology and climate-smart solutions can secure our food systems.”
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine shared that with the knowledge gained, Tobago’s agricultural stakeholders can become more competitive.
“To teach our farmers new tricks and ways in which our farmers can increase their yield but more than just our farmers, we are also interested in innovation in fishing because for us in Tobago, the sector that revolves around the marine space is actually larger than our farming sector by just virtue of numbers.”
Hydroponics, aquaculture innovations, smart water management and solutions for pest and disease control were some of the topics discussed during the Tobago Agri-Tech Innovation Summit.