Postby ~Street Sleeper~ » June 24th, 2014, 9:37 am
MEDIA RELEASE
23rd June 2014: Fruitful 3rd National Fruit Festival 2014!
The 3rd National Fruit Festival 2014 was a resounding success, much attributed to the support and participation of the national community. The National Fruit Festival has proven to be the largest of its kind, welcoming an average of over 2500 visitors per day for 3 days, with a consistent message of “buy local, eat local. Put T&T on your table.”
Thousands of visitors were embraced for taking the opportunity to indulge in a rural community and family-centered learning environment which included introductions to approximately 100 rare/exotic fruits, other related agro-educational activities, the sale and sampling of fruits, vegetables, jams and jellies, food and beverages. An array of handicraft and boutique products was also available. Several competitions were held with generous prizes given by the event sponsors. Hundreds participated in the agricultural estate tours which allowed them to plant rare/exotic fruit trees and be exposed to discussions from tilling to tummy. Visitors were entertained and engaged by a monologue courtesy Todds Road RC School, several other local performances of song and dance as well as Zumba sessions.
This is an annual event that will continue to promote the diversity and importance of local fruits and food and their importance in promoting a healthy lifestyle, environment and economy. The 3rd National Fruit Festival as well as the visiting public honoured the achievements and life of Sarwan Lutchman, deceased farmer. The oldest and youngest farmers in the area who would have contributed and will continue to persevere and develop a national identity for the agricultural constituency through indigenous assets were also honoured. The TPFA also recognized and acknowledged the exemplary dedication and visibility of MP Nela Khan and MP Clifton De Coteau in the National Fruit Festival and their support of its purpose.
The Festival was also visited and endorsed by MP Nizam Baksh, former MP and Minister of Finance Gerald Yetming, Chairman Aiknath Singh and Council of the Princes Town Regional Corporation as well as Chairman Hazarie Ramdeen and Council of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation. Many other members of State Boards, public officials and outstanding members of the national community were present.
Visitors to this edition of the National Fruit Festival were pleased to be included in the Tableland Pineapple Farmers Association’s (TPFA) thrust to explore the potential for agro-eco-tourism to create wealth and employment in agricultural and rural communities. Notwithstanding Government’s success in promoting the food and beverage industry’s attractiveness and perhaps the whole of T&T beyond sun, sea, and sand; we believe agro-eco-tourism is an important alternative enterprise for small farmers.
Such an enterprise typically involves charging fees for access to your property for wildlife-related recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, hands-on field experiences, camping, and photography, or from the sale of items associated with these activities such as maps, food, fruits, vegetables, miscellaneous equipment rentals and other eco-tourism related experiences.
In considering the feedback from this year’s proceedings and consultation with community partners to kick-start such an enterprise, the TPFA proposes:
1) Assist the agricultural community in planning the territorial organisation of economic activities, while also identifying the potential for tourism in rural areas;
2) Develop and assist in gaining support for a vocational training programme in the area of agro-eco-tourism services – tourist agents, tour guides, and providers of other tourist services – promoting professional training of youth, especially the children of farming families;
3) Officially support a minimum administrative infrastructure which should assist in organising demand, identifying preferences, and above all, providing assistance to farmers in marketing agro-eco-tourism services.
The overwhelming support from citizens across the country, especially those in north Trinidad and along the East-West corridor, as well as those who visited from the diaspora and international communities has prompted the TPFA to accept the challenge to find ways to turn small or family farmers into entrepreneurs, while at the same time seeking to incorporate these measures into a larger plan of integrated rural development.
As a first strategy, the Simplex Farms Green Market will be launched at the Nu Image Simplex Complex on Sunday 29th June at 10:00am under the auspices of the Honourable Nela Khan, MP Princes Town. The Simplex Farms Green Market will consolidate and continue the intervention that was made in these agricultural and rural communities, open networking between local farmers, suppliers and consumers, as well as provide a market to small entrepreneurs. Most importantly, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in guided agricultural estate tours and the agro-eco-tourism experience.
The 3rd National Fruit Festival has witnessed the expansion of scale as well as the variety of content. It was an ideal opportunity to tighten the relationship between farmer, producer, distributor and consumer, simultaneously, to promote local fruits and vegetables, locally produced food and beverages as well as the local creative industry to the national and international communities.
The Honourable Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar S.C., recently noted via the National Conversation that we can make the future of our country even better by working together. The TPFA remains committed to team work through partnership with all Ministries, State Agencies, associations, and interest groups in a spirit of cooperation and openness while building on past achievements; fostering a stable and community-oriented multi-cultural environment; respect for differences of opinion and minority views; gender-awareness; and personal trust.
Ramash Ramsumair
Chairman
