Trinidad and Tobago is taking a major step towards strengthening its food security and reducing its heavy reliance on imported food, thanks to a recent agricultural gift from Ghana.
The West African nation has donated 10,000 yam seeds to Trinidad and Tobago, an initiative that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says could help transform local diets and cut down on the country’s billion-dollar food import bill.
Speaking at the Tucker Valley Shade House in Chaguaramas, Dr. Rowley emphasized that while the government is committed to boosting local food production, success will depend on whether citizens embrace locally grown produce over imported alternatives.
“We recently received as a gift from Dr. Mitchell and the Ghanaian authorities 10,000 units of planting material of four varieties of yams. We are introducing these varieties into Trinidad and Tobago now with the aim of multiplying and propagating them into the farming community,” Rowley said.
Shifting from Imported White Potatoes to Locally Grown Yams
One of the key benefits of this initiative, according to Dr. Rowley, is the potential to replace imported Irish potatoes—a staple in Trinidad and Tobago’s diet—with high-quality, locally grown yams.
“While I was in Ghana, I sampled some of these white yams—smooth, soft, beautifully tasting varieties—which can serve as an excellent alternative to white potatoes that we import, mainly from Canada,” he explained.
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Highlighting his personal experience growing up in Tobago, Rowley pointed out that ground provisions such as yams were once a staple in local diets but have gradually been replaced by imported foods.
He believes reintroducing yams on a large scale will not only benefit farmers but also encourage healthier eating habits.
Nationwide Yam Cultivation Underway
The initiative has already begun, with the first batch of yams planted in Chaguaramas, Tobago, and Mason Hall.
The government aims to study how the different varieties thrive in various soil conditions before deciding which types to promote for large-scale cultivation.
“We want to grow what we eat and eat what we grow. That is the only way to significantly reduce our food import bill,” Rowley stressed.
The first harvest is expected in six to nine months, and the government hopes that the success of this initiative will encourage more farmers to adopt yam cultivation.
Food Independence and Economic Benefits
Beyond dietary changes, the introduction of Ghanaian yams into local agriculture aligns with Trinidad and Tobago’s broader food independence strategy.
By reducing dependence on imported staples, the country can save valuable foreign exchange while ensuring greater food security for its population.
The event in Chaguaramas was attended by several government officials, including Prime Minister-designate Stuart Young, Minister of Youth Development and National Service Foster Cummings, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Kazim Hosein, and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Avinash Singh.
As Trinidad and Tobago prepares for its first Ghanaian yam harvest, the government is urging citizens to embrace local produce—a small but significant step towards reshaping the country’s agricultural and economic future.
