1.0 Selected Focus Areas Priority N?

The Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development will prioritize food sufficiency and food sovereignty by focusing on the following areas.

1. Food Sovereignty:
   1. Healthy and culturally appropriate food: Promote and emphasize the right of Tobagonians to access healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods and their right to define their own food and agroecological systems.
   2. Community-Based Agriculture: Encourage community-driven agricultural initiatives that empower local farmers and communities to control their food production systems. This can include cooperative farming models and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
   3. Agroecological Practices: Promote agroecological farming practices focusing on sustainable and regenerative agriculture. These practices include crop rotation, agroforestry, and the use of organic fertilizers to maintain soil health and biodiversity.
   4. Local Seed Banks: Establish local seed banks to preserve and promote the use of indigenous and traditional crop varieties. This ensures genetic diversity and resilience against pests and climate change.
2. Food Sufficiency:
   1. Local demand: Promote agricultural production to meet the consumption demands of Tobagonian households and Tobago’s transient population.
   2. Export: Scaling agricultural production in line with targeted export quotas in areas where Tobago farmers have a logistical competitive advantage.
   3. Diversification of Crops: Promote the cultivation of a variety of crops to reduce dependency on a single crop and enhance food security. This would include staple crops, fruits, vegetables, and livestock.
   4. Irrigation and Water Management: Develop efficient irrigation systems to support year-round farming, particularly in areas susceptible to water shortages. This would include rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and the construction of small dams and reservoirs.
   5. Access to High-Quality Inputs: Ensure farmers have access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs. This would be achieved through government subsidies, partnerships with agricultural companies, and the establishment of local agricultural supply centers.
3. Institutional Support:
   1. Government Funding and Grants: Provide funding and grants to support research and development (R&D) activities in the agricultural economy. This would include financial support for innovative farming techniques, research into climate-resilient crops, and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.
   2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Foster collaborations between the government, private sector, and non-profit organizations to leverage resources, technology, expertise, and infrastructure for agricultural development.
   3. Regulatory Support: Promote regulatory frameworks and standards to ensure the safety, quality, and sustainability of agricultural products. This includes certifications for organic farming in line with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
4. Education and Capacity Building:
   1. Farmer Training Programs: Develop training programs to educate farmers on modern agricultural techniques, sustainable practices, and the use of new technologies. This will include workshops, demonstration farms, and extension services.
   2. Youth Engagement: Promoting youth involvement in agriculture through educational programs, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities. This ensures the continuity and innovation of the agricultural sector.
5. Market Access and Economic Support:
   1. Market Development: Support the development of local and regional markets, enabling farmers to sell their products directly to consumers. This will include farmers' markets, cooperative markets, and online platforms.
   2. Value-Added Products: Promote the production of value-added products such as processed foods, jams, and preserves. This can increase the income of farmers and create additional income streams.

MAIN REFERENCE INFORMATION

1. Economic and Social Benefits of Increased Food Self-Reliance
2. Sustainable agrifood systems for a post-growth world
3. Pathways to system change: Transforming a world in crisis into a sustainable and just future
4. Innovative Community-Based Agriculture: A Strategy for National Food Production and Security
5. Food Security in the Caribbean - A Policy Perspective
6. FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY PRIMER

OTHER INFORMATION

1. Analysis of agricultural policies in TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
2. National Food Safety Policy 2018 - 2023
3. Food sovereignty vs food security
4. Food Sovereignty for Self-Determination and Decolonization