Tilapia key to food security Narine

At the official launch of freehold land for the Tilapia Farming Survey last Thursday, Narine said the survey was geared to determine the availability of land for aquaculture throughout the country.

“Tilapia farming represents a concrete, tangible step in the Government’s thrust towards substantially developing aquaculture and tilapia farming,” Narine said.

Narine said the Agriculture Ministry views the development of aquaculture, with particular reference to tilapia, as an extremely important undertaking.

“When one considers the ramifications of the worldwide phenomenon of declining fishery stock, the need to bolster the production of fish is obvious. Aquaculture is the avenue to achieve this endeavour that is best suited to Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

The minister said aquaculture, developed into a thriving industry, has the potential to reduce hikes in the price of fish, and is another tool in the Agriculture Ministry’s thrust towards achieving food security.

“Aquaculture will complement the nation’s existing fishing industry to ensure that the supply of fish meets the demand of the country’s growing population.”

Other projected benefits of the development of the aquaculture industry in three to five years are the consequent development of rural communities and poverty alleviation.

Source: Newsday