Agri-Business Innovation: Agriculture Consultant Calls for Financing Reform and Youth-Driven Tech Adoption in Trinidad & Tobago

In a detailed interview on Freedom 106.5 FM’s “Agri-Business Innovation” program, agricultural consultant Mr. Salazar outlined a comprehensive strategy to address the chronic financing gap in the nation’s agriculture sector.

He argued that the current financing model must be redesigned to mitigate risk, linking loans and subsidies directly to measurable production outcomes. Salazar suggested that grant and subsidy performance should be evaluated on output, employment generation, formal-market entry, import displacement and tax revenue, creating an “agricultural performance dashboard” to track progress.

A central theme of the conversation was the need for contract-farming and off-take arrangements. By securing purchasers—whether processors, supermarkets, hotels or institutions—farmers could present concrete revenue streams to financiers, thereby reducing perceived risk. Salazar emphasized that such arrangements, similar to those used in the poultry sector, would make financing “no real issue.”

The interview also highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration. Salazar referenced organizations such as NAMDEV, ADB, Couriery, Arawak, and the NFM Consumer Cooperative, noting their roles in securing a US $20 million federal grant and establishing a US $5,000 credit facility for fishing expeditions. He proposed leveraging the SME stock exchange and cooperative networks to further channel capital into value-chain development.

Looking ahead to the upcoming national budget

Salazar called for a shift toward value-chain investment. Priorities he listed included:

• Infrastructure: water, irrigation, drainage, access roads, and cold-storage facilities.
• Digital connectivity for real-time data collection and management.
• Strategic import substitution and agro-processing to add value to commodities such as cassava, fruit, and cocoa.

He warned that foreign-exchange considerations should drive policy, advocating for import substitution where feasible and promoting export-oriented products that retain foreign-exchange earnings domestically—citing a potential cocoa-based product that could replace traditional exports while still generating revenue.

The future of agriculture and technology

Addressing the sector’s future workforce, Salazar stressed that young entrepreneurs must see agriculture as a technology-rich career. He urged a move away from the “traditional farmer” image toward opportunities involving AI, drones, hydroponics, renewable energy, biotechnology, logistics, and fintech. By repurposing existing buildings for vertical farming and greenhouse production, he argued, high yields could be achieved in a fraction of the land and time traditionally required.

Salazar concluded that the combination of financing reform, infrastructure investment, digital tools, and youth engagement is essential for Trinidad & Tobago to achieve food-security goals, retain foreign-exchange, and build a resilient, export-ready agricultural sector.

The interview wrapped up with Salazar thanking the host, Tosca Martinez, and expressing optimism about upcoming collaborative projects with private-sector partners and industry groups slated for release in the coming months.