News in brief:
– Brazil Village Farmers Group inaugurates Agro-Processing and Packaging Facility with support from Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago’s EPIC Programme.
– The facility will empower rural farmers, offering processing, packaging, and marketing services for locally grown produce, contributing to sustainable community development.
The Brazil Village Farmers Group inaugurated its Agro-Processing and Packaging Facility at Brazil Lome Trace, Brazil Village, on 21 February 2024.
This initiative was funded by a TT$100,000 ($15,000) grant from the Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago’s EPIC Programme. It aims to elevate farmers’ livelihoods and promote agriculture as a viable career option for local youth.
Enhancing value-added production
With approximately 50 members, the Brazil Village Farmers Group seeks to provide processing, packaging, and marketing services for locally grown produce, transforming them into value-added products. This facility fills a crucial gap, offering services previously inaccessible to many farmers.
The EPIC funding facilitated the construction of the facility, according to a news report, including essential electrical, plumbing, and drainage works, alongside the acquisition of equipment such as chillers, stainless steel tables, and utensils. Additional contributions from the Brazil Village Farmers Group ensured the completion of the project.
Endorsement from government officials
Guy Small, a board member of the Digicel Foundation, lauded the Brazil Village Farmers Group’s management and transparency, highlighting their success in community transformation. Gina Ramcharan from Shell Trinidad and Tobago emphasized the facility’s potential to enhance business models and foster sustainable community development.
Farook Hosein, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Fisheries, expressed full support for the initiative, citing its role in promoting unity and strategic planning among farmers. Such collaborations, he noted, are essential for advancing agricultural development in the nation.
The EPIC programme, initiated in 2016 as a small grants initiative, has expanded its reach and impact over the years. Through partnerships like that with Shell Trinidad and Tobago, it continues to empower communities to implement sustainable initiatives, fostering growth in renewable energy, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
