For Cane......... Over My Dead Body, says Patrick!

[Double Trouble]

This man is rubbing salt in the wound as if he just don't care two lumps about the feelings of these poor folks. Imagine some bully taking away the job you have done all your life and then gloating about it. He is spending billions to keep "his people" happy but being very cost efficient ( an obvious oxymoron in PNMland ) when it comes to spending ah lil $80 million on dem other people. This Prime Minister also has a habit of going into these non Christian villages and preaching to the people from the bible.

PM Patrick Manning says no more cane cutting in T&T.
He says cane cutting will only continue over his dead body.
BY SASCHA WILSON

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has made it absolutely clear that this is the last year for commercial cane farming in T&T.

He made the announcement on Monday night at a People’s National Movement (PNM) political meeting in Barrackpore.

Manning, speaking during the public meeting held in the United National Congress (UNC) stronghold, said the farmers had agreed to the closure, and the move would cost taxpayers $80 million.
Pointing out that those opposed to the PNM were promising to revive the sugar industry, Manning said it would be like sending people back to the days of slavery.

“The PNM will have none of that, not with the PNM in T&T...That will happen over my dead body,” he said.

“The days for cane cutting in T&T are gone forever.”

Manning said the cane farmers were in agreement with the Government because they realised that the market had changed.

“The cane farmers are saying we know the preferential act we had in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom, in respect to sugar, that has disappeared because of the new arrangements made in the European Union,” he said.

“And, therefore, we know that if our market disappears, our days in sugar industry are numbered...We want to get out.

“If the UNC Alliance want a sugar industry, let them go and cut cane.”

Manning also paid tribute to people of East Indian descent who, he said, were now supporting the PNM.

Boasting of inroads the PNM had made in Opposition strongholds, Manning predicted a “political earthquake” that would shake up the country on November 5—election day.

“I want to pay tribute to my brothers and sisters of East Indian descent who have lived in communities like these, and who, notwithstanding all that has taken place around them, have decided to support the PNM in face of tremendous opposition,” he said.

“They have had to take the slings and arrows of those opposed to us more than persons who had been living in other areas in T&T and PNM strongholds.”

Saying he received a warm reception during his earlier walkabout in Barrackpore, Manning declared that Barrackpore was now within the folds of the PNM.

He said it was a clear indication that for the first time in T&T, race would not be a significant factor in the general election.

Recalling his first general election in 1971, Manning said they used to talk about the Valley Line in hush tones.

“The PNM could not think about coming into the Valley Line at all...It use to be egg after egg, rotten egg that is,” he said.

Rewording a biblical quote, Manning encouraged undecided voters who in past had supported opposition parties to join the PNM: “Come on to me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you political rest. The doors of the PNM are open for anyone.”

See Pages 7, 11 & 14

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
Designed by: Randall Rajkumar-Maharaj · Updated daily by: Nicholas Attai

[Maccogirl]

This action just goes to show how confident he is at winning this election, he can do and say what he wants and who don't like it tuff. Imagine over my dead body that is the end of sugar cane and if UNC wants it they can cut it themselves :roll:

This man telling people that he cant be moved its just simple as that, its a pity that the COP supporters cant see that and stop all this nonsense.

[vaio]

Oh please...

[Somebody007]

The reason why they close down the sugar industry because too much substantial losses were being made from the industry. Would you carry on a business that is making absolutely no profits whatsoever.....you think the European Union and the USA importing our cane sugar which is not even near competitive standards.....Barbados cane sugar is by far a better standard than ours.....nobody in the outside world wants trini sugar...is only we here in Trinidad kicking up a big fuss over this issue.

[Double Trouble]

The reason why they close down the sugar industry because too much substantial losses were being made from the industry. Would you carry on a business that is making absolutely no profits whatsoever.....you think the European Union and the USA importing our cane sugar which is not even near competitive standards.....Barbados cane sugar is by far a better standard than ours.....nobody in the outside world wants trini sugar...is only we here in Trinidad kicking up a big fuss over this issue.

Somebody,

Hmmm! Ah guess CEPEP and URP are not businesses then? Whose fault is it that Bajan sugar is superior to Trinidad's?

If sugar was no longer viable and we were not producing enough of our own food, why didn't Caroni morph into something else with a new crop? Why would'nt you use all that fertile land and the experienced agri workers to better feed the nation?

[gaia]

He says cane cutting will only continue over his dead body
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
AND SO BE IT!!!
--------------------------------------------------------
cANE PRODUCING COUNTRIES NOW MAKING NEW BI-PRODUCTS FROM THE CANE INDUSTRY.bUT IT TAKES SOME COMMON SENSE, CARING AND COMPETENCE TO DO SO. THIS TIN GOD AND NAKED EMPEROR HAS EXCRETED THE LITTLE BRAIN HE HAD!!!

[sheppy]

Agreed ...use the land for something else...

Trying to revive the cane business is a futile venture....UNC and COP are playing this revival only to get 'grassroots' support....There is absoulutely no need for Trinidad to get back into the Sugar cane business...

U know how much money green peppers and melongene cud make?

[Maccogirl]

So I guess the logic is don't go into sugar lets import it then

[Solachica]

Caroni was corrupt and badly run. It was costing taxpayers alot of money to keep it running.
Up to this day there are still people who didnt return Caroni company cars and they using it as if it's their property. :roll:

[Somebody007]

The reason why they close down the sugar industry because too much substantial losses were being made from the industry. Would you carry on a business that is making absolutely no profits whatsoever.....you think the European Union and the USA importing our cane sugar which is not even near competitive standards.....Barbados cane sugar is by far a better standard than ours.....nobody in the outside world wants trini sugar...is only we here in Trinidad kicking up a big fuss over this issue.

Somebody,

Hmmm! Ah guess CEPEP and URP are not businesses then? Whose fault is it that Bajan sugar is superior to Trinidad's?

If sugar was no longer viable and we were not producing enough of our own food, why didn't Caroni morph into something else with a new crop? Why would'nt you use all that fertile land and the experienced agri workers to better feed the nation?


DoubleTrouble, CEPEP and URP are not businesses but social assistance programs designed to help the poor and unemployed. Sugar cane was designed as a business with the intention of making a profit. There is a difference between a social assistance program which are non profit making ventures and a business with the intention of making a profit.

Some of the main reasons why Trinidad and Tobago is not self sufficient in food production are.....

1.) The land itself is no longer arable and this was proven by professors at the University of the West Indies through a number of scientific testing measures....

2.) Praedial Lacenry....which really means a high incidence of theft of both crops and livestock.

3.) There are certain diseases which are currently affecting livestock and particularly chickens.....avian influenza flu...and also diseases and pests affecting crops which this government cannot seem to control as well as no remedy has been developed by scientists globally to tackle these problems.

4.) Cost of Production and land is way too expensive and lengthly administrative and legal procedures involved to obtain land.

5.) Trinidad and Tobago have failed in recent years to meet quality control standards set by the European Commission and North America in the export of its crops....so in other words, since we have no quality control mechanisms here, what is sense producing a crop, cannot export it because it does not meet international standards and the local market for food stuff is way too small to even think about making a huge profit margin.

The list goes on and on....so don't just swallow what other politicians are talking about when they say the PNM putting people out of wuk and all that crap.....the fact of the matter is and after soooooo many feasibility studies have been done through CARDI and the University of the West Indies, sugar cane is not a viable crop that can be produced here.

[King B]

There is no market for cane sugar. End of story. Why produce a product on such a large scale that nobody wants? Just to please DT? Sugar beat is far cheaper and the EU can get it from their own farmers and fellow trade block members so why would they buy it from T&T or anyone else? You rather our farmers end up like the other pathetic souls in the region who constantly run to the EU on hands and knees begging them to do something that is clearly not in their own interets? Would you buy something you could get somewhere else cheaper? Nope, but we keep expecting the EU to do so.

Sugar cane is good now for ethanol and rum production. There are several companies in T&T who are involved in those industries so let them purchase lands and grow their own canes.

Sugar from sugar cane is dead, get over it.

[Double Trouble]

Caroni was corrupt and badly run. It was costing taxpayers alot of money to keep it running.
Up to this day there are still people who didnt return Caroni company cars and they using it as if it's their property. :roll:

chica,

Ahmm! So, you're saying that the PNM administrations were corrupt and incompetent in their handling of Caroni. Sounds familiar, almost like their failed attempt at running a steel mill. Like I've always insisted, Patrick and his regime can't even turn a profit with a roadside stand or a doubles cart.

[Double Trouble]

There is no market for cane sugar. End of story. Why produce a product on such a large scale that nobody wants? Just to please DT? Sugar beat is far cheaper and the EU can get it from their own farmers and fellow trade block members so why would they buy it from T&T or anyone else? You rather our farmers end up like the other pathetic souls in the region who constantly run to the EU on hands and knees begging them to do something that is clearly not in their own interets? Would you buy something you could get somewhere else cheaper? Nope, but we keep expecting the EU to do so.

Sugar cane is good now for ethanol and rum production. There are several companies in T&T who are involved in those industries so let them purchase lands and grow their own canes.

Sugar from sugar cane is dead, get over it.

Baby King,

I have ah better idea. Why doesn't PappyTricks use the cane lands to build houses for the CEPEP and URP population, complete with regulation size basketball courts. The CEPEP occupants can make extra cash by painting the stones around the courts and you can head (for a sizeable salary ofcourse) up the basketball program for budding TTBA(T&T Basketball Association) stars. The former Caroni workers who can't get any wuk to feed their families can always tryout for yuh league. Nobody could claim that the PNM don't practice equal opportunity.

[Maccogirl]

There is no need for CEPEP and URP on such a large scale but PNM have it, there is no need for a 69,000 plus public service but PNM have it, there was no need for that mansion to the 148 m but PNM did it, there is no need for no stadium behind god back but PNM doing it, there is no need fo smelter plants but PNM doing it all the same, no need for all the concrete building in POS but we PNM giving us them, and the list can still go on.

We can always find things that we don't need or make excuses why they should not be done but PNM goes ahead and do them all the same, well in the same manner I am sure with a little brain power the PNM could of found some way to use Sugar Cane, but one thing we can all put to rest now it was the PNM government that kill the sugar industry and that is a fact. :roll:

[sapodila]

Alyuh making meh laugh and cry at the same time here. These cane cutters from Barrackpore that patos was addressing, they have cane juice running through their veins, they bleed it and they cry it too. They are the masters of the cane fields. Tell us then, where are the masters of the science labs in T&T, can't they use sugar cane for some other by product in addition to what they already have in the rum and ethanol distilleries? Have Patos and his regime replaced a means for these cane farmers to become self sufficient?

[Double Trouble]

There is no need for CEPEP and URP on such a large scale but PNM have it, there is no need for a 69,000 plus public service but PNM have it, there was no need for that mansion to the 148 m but PNM did it, there is no need for no stadium behind god back but PNM doing it, there is no need fo smelter plants but PNM doing it all the same, no need for all the concrete building in POS but we PNM giving us them, and the list can still go on.

We can always find things that we don't need or make excuses why they should not be done but PNM goes ahead and do them all the same, well in the same manner I am sure with a little brain power the PNM could of found some way to use Sugar Cane, but one thing we can all put to rest now it was the PNM government that kill the sugar industry and that is a fact. :roll:

Macco,

You were doing fine until you went out of your mind and mentioned brain power. Manning using his little brain power to fix his business. He fixed up Hazel with big wuk and then raise their salaries twice. He fixed up his sister with big wuk. He gave his first son, Baby King, free money to start ah basketball business. He must have fixed up for the other son also, you know the one who is the spitting image of Arnold from Different Strokes. Patrick put emblem on his car like he is royalty. He built his dream palace for all the Mannings to enjoy luxurious breakfastes, prepared by the palace chefs. Next on the agenda is the private jet.

As for the former Caroni workers, too for cane bad fuh dem. As Patrick so clearly said...."over my for cane dead body!"

[Somebody007]

Well boy, at least Hazel Manning had a job and was earning she so called 'fat salary'.....unlike Oma Panday,...ummmmmm, how much money she have in the London Bank Account again.....and never worked one day in her life to earn that kind of money......I will say this once more, the $148 million dollar mansion is for the Prime Minister who is elected in office....not for Manning and company....so if Dookeran or your Golden Grove leader wins the elections, is right inside of that $148 million dollar mansion he is going to sit....ah hope Mr Golden Grove sends an invitation to you for supporting him if he wins the election because I know he heading straight for that mansion come November 6th if he wins the election. The private jet is also for the Prime Minister and it is not Manning's jet.....oh boy....jealousy kills eh....

Please read my long post as to why I support the shutting down of sugar cane production in Trinidad. Your comment here is an indication that you have ignored my response as to why CARDI, UWI and the Ministry of Agriculture supported to closure of Caroni 1975 Limited.

[JPersad]

This could have been a good thread .
KB made a good point with regards to two important byproducts , ethanol and rum.
We could debate how feasible it is .After all ethanol will reduce oil dependence , but at what cost ?
There will always be a market for good rum .Unfortunately with the exception of the really expensive and top of the line Angostura rum , Trinidad rum just don't measure up .

[raider]

somebody007 wrote:

'The reason why they close down the sugar industry because too much substantial losses were being made from the industry. Would you carry on a business that is making absolutely no profits whatsoever.....you think the European Union and the USA importing our cane sugar which is not even near competitive standards.....Barbados cane sugar is by far a better standard than ours.....nobody in the outside world wants trini sugar...is only we here in Trinidad kicking up a big fuss over this issue.'

using you logic, close down the port authority. but they won't because we know the the majority of the workers are of a certain race, right?
how about wasa and our boy fritz? dey making money had over fist right? but then again, we know about the racial composition right? so we cyah close dat down.

as i sit here enjoying a nice drink of my 10 cane rum, i cannot help but laugh about your knowledge of the trinidad cane plant.

http://www.10cane.com/trinidad.html

[JPersad]

Alyuh making meh laugh and cry at the same time here. These cane cutters from Barrackpore that patos was addressing, they have cane juice running through their veins, they bleed it and they cry it too. They are the masters of the cane fields. Tell us then, where are the masters of the science labs in T&T, can't they use sugar cane for some other by product in addition to what they already have in the rum and ethanol distilleries? Have Patos and his regime replaced a means for these cane farmers to become self sufficient?
Well said !

[Double Trouble]

Well boy, at least Hazel Manning had a job and was earning she so called 'fat salary'.....unlike Oma Panday,...ummmmmm, how much money she have in the London Bank Account again.....and never worked one day in her life to earn that kind of money......I will say this once more, the $148 million dollar mansion is for the Prime Minister who is elected in office....not for Manning and company....so if Dookeran or your Golden Grove leader wins the elections, is right inside of that $148 million dollar mansion he is going to sit....ah hope Mr Golden Grove sends an invitation to you for supporting him if he wins the election because I know he heading straight for that mansion come November 6th if he wins the election. The private jet is also for the Prime Minister and it is not Manning's jet.....oh boy....jealousy kills eh....

Please read my long post as to why I support the shutting down of sugar cane production in Trinidad. Your comment here is an indication that you have ignored my response as to why CARDI, UWI and the Ministry of Agriculture supported to closure of Caroni 1975 Limited.

Somebody,

Now I am convinced you're Manning's son. You are supporting an act of nepotism, unheard of in any progressive country. We haven't witnessed this bold grab for power in any of the other islands in the region. Hazel didn't enter her name as a candidate and was not chosen by the citizens of T&T to represent their children's best interest. PappyTricks in his typical greedy fashion, appointed dumbarse for no other logical reason but to legally collect a second salary from the taxpayers of T&T. He lied to the public about her qualification, not that it mattered much, because she was still grossly unqualified to be the Education Minister. Even if Hazel was the most qualified person in T&T, this appointment goes against all ethics in politics and business.

You're going about Oma not working a day in her life and having a bank account. There are people right in Trinidad sitting with more than that measley $10 millionTTD in various bank accounts. There are many with multi-million investments ( condos and business ventures to name a couple ) in Europe and North America, not to mention the offshore bank accounts. Buddy, $10 millionTTD is chump change. Duprey, a local billionaire, says he gave the money as a scholarship to the daughters of the Pandays. The Mannings were also recipients of goodwill from a secret godfather. Brian and his younger brother were also on the receiving end of "scholarships" when Patrick was PM. So why question the Panday's scholarships? The money didn't come out of any government slush fund or PappyTricks would have used that evidence to further sully Bas's name. PappyTricks spent many millions, trying to gather evidence of wrong doing against Panday and all he and his PNM DPP could muster was a lamearse charge like failing to declare a bank account. An offence that many were guilty off but only Panday was the scapegoat. The whole premeditated setup, with the CM as a willing participant, is now blowing up like a ripe dhal fart in the face of shameless Manning. Shades of the coke and ammo in Baksh's water tank, if you ask me.

Try to justify as much as you want, that $148 million spent on the PM's residence. That was just way over the top, considering the obscene levels of poverty in T&T. Patrick has this penchant for throwing money around, like it's his hard earned cash. I have got news for the holy one, it's not yours to squander on a whim. A few years ago he doled out $600,000.00 for a gym for he and his family. Another example of never see come see behaviour by a man who has never held a real job in his life. $600,000.00 down the toilet. Don't come with your bullsh!t about the house is for the elected PM. Manning didn't build that palace thinking that someone else will be sleeping in the master bedroom in the near future. He is determined to die in office like his predecessor, the biggest thief in T&T's history aka the Fadda of the nation. If Patrick has his way and becomes the first executive president, there is no hope in hell that Jack or any of dem opposition fellas will be washing their balls in a bathtub of this $148 million obscenity. I guess Benny Hinn will not be blessing that house any time soon. :P As for a private jet for the Prime Minister, please give me ah freaking break! You are carrying on as if Manning of any PM of Trinidad for that matter, is a big player on the world stage. Jealousy you say, the feeling is more of disgust! Picture if you will, four hogs in a feeding frenzy, with swill dripping from their snouts and you may get the picture.

I didn't ignore your rant about the reasons for shutting down Caroni. This thread is not about whether sugar is or isn't a viable crop. Any fool can tell you that growing sugarcane just to sell sugar on the world market, is not the wisest of choices. There were other options that could have been exercised, long before the rug was yanked by this cruel Prime Minister. He will not dare pull a similar stunt with CEPEP and URP because black people will go on a rampage. Burn Baby Burn! This thread is about a PM who shows no empathy for the people that he was instrumental in destroying their way of life. He had the nerve to go into their village, rub salt in their wounds and make references to the bible. How insensitive of him to do that to an audience of mostly non Christians? Patrick is infamous for his religious faux pars, something you rarely see from first world leaders.

[King B]

Tell me this nuh DT; what stops the private sector from growing their own cane for any use? If you cant answer that then just be quiet and give us all a break. The industry is not viable. At least there is a demand for a clean T&T, hence CEPEP and URP, but who wants sugar cane? You perhaps?

NBN workers didnt belly ache when it was shut down. BWIA workers didnt belly ache when it was shut down... and to my knowledge none of those workers were compensated or given lands like the Caroni workers. Go cry me a river breds. :roll:

[Maccogirl]

Its plain and simple Manning is just showing how cocky he can be, he is telling the Indo people in their face I don't care what you feel it close and that is it,. If dothish Panday want to re open the sugar cane industry he will have to go cut it his self. Manning is talking with such bravado because he is a black man leading a black people and in this country that is a hard combination to beat.

Manning know his people no matter what he does will not go against him, they can be living in filth they still will find a way to justify giving their votes to the PNM to keep them in power, for one reason its better for a black man to rule this country, it PNM country and nothing more. Unfortunately many on here will talk and pretend they have no idea what is coming down the line if Manning gets into power again, but they rather live that way because they cant stand the UNC and Panday.

Since the COP playing the fool all over the place and the Indians at each others neck PNM has it easy, he knows this, this election is a walk in the park for PNM, so he can say what he wants to whom, do what he wants to who, nothing matters and all who cant live with that well they can migrate who cares , certainly not Manning as PNM will be in charge again.

Manning telling it as it is he is the boss, he giving out posting to party hacks before the election results are in, he kick out Valley without a explanation leaving people to wonder and speculate,. Kamal could cry all day about Executive President so what it coming he never denied that it was no, he just said he will consult with the people, he does not say a word about crime he says that is not important houses are, and even as he building all these high rise towers in town saying it for government staff, he just today gives Issa Nicholas a contract for 7 mill a year to rent six floors in his building on Independence sq, so all yuh take that, and keep saying it does not matter if PNM wins again, just keep UNCA out. :roll:

[Double Trouble]

Tell me this nuh DT; what stops the private sector from growing their own cane for any use? If you cant answer that then just be quiet and give us all a break. The industry is not viable. At least there is a demand for a clean T&T, hence CEPEP and URP, but who wants sugar cane? You perhaps?

NBN workers didnt belly ache when it was shut down. BWIA workers didnt belly ache when it was shut down... and to my knowledge none of those workers were compensated or given lands like the Caroni workers. Go cry me a river breds. :roll:

Baby King,

Absolutely nothing! Who is arguing that sugar as a by product, is viable for the export market? Are sugar crystals the only useable product that you can get from cane? The PNM government ran or should I say ran down Caroni, not having the vision to adapt to changes occuring in the world. Instead of making changes on the fly, they stood and watched things go from bad to worse. Having first hand knowledge of their incompetence and corrupt tendencies, why didn't any PNM government sell off Caroni to the private sector? It's a good thing that Mittal bought the steel mill for pennies on the dollar or that venture would have suffered a similar fate. As for BWIA, that was just a paper transaction, a name change.

Haha....a need for a clean T&T, hence CEPEP and URP! :lol: :lol: Boy yuh real good yes! That was one of your better lines yet :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[King B]

Why they didnt sell it? Maybe because no one wanted it? Maybe because only the rum division had any sort of future so that is why it was maintained? Maybe the private sector not involved in large scale cane farming for any reason because it is not ECONOMICALLY VIABLE? Me eh know, you is the one with all the brains. What is stopping cane farmers from selling their canes to someone other than government? Nothing, the problem is that no one wants it. Face it.

This is why you constantly have to resort to old talk and overtly racist statements, because nothing you say can stand up under any sort of intelligent scrutiny. Go tell cane farmers to give back the land the gov't give them and the VSEP packages so that Caroni can be reopened and hear what they have to say. :lol:

[Acid]

In Brasil they are using Ethanol from cane as automobil fuel.

[Double Trouble]

Why they didnt sell it? Maybe because no one wanted it? Maybe because only the rum division had any sort of future so that is why it was maintained? Maybe the private sector not involved in large scale cane farming for any reason because it is not ECONOMICALLY VIABLE? Me eh know, you is the one with all the brains. What is stopping cane farmers from selling their canes to someone other than government? Nothing, the problem is that no one wants it. Face it.

This is why you constantly have to resort to old talk and overtly racist statements, because nothing you say can stand up under any sort of intelligent scrutiny. Go tell cane farmers to give back the land the gov't give them and the VSEP packages so that Caroni can be reopened and hear what they have to say. :lol:

Baby King,

One word spoke volumes about your party's vision and business skills. Yes, running a government is almost like running a business. Maybe this or maybe that.....didn't Manning stumble on a solitary clue during all his donkey years in government?

Monkey doh see his own tail, is my answer to your response about "old talk and overt racist statement". Instead of resorting to your usual defensive stance of crying race, you should refute my statements with facts. You are unable to do that because you know that past and present PNM administrations screwed up Caroni's chances for long term survival. Admit it, your boys have a history of cost over runs and project failures that are equal to no other government in the region. From the days of Eric to today, the economy was only about the energy sector. This strategy would have been foolproof if T&T truly enjoyed full employment. Instead there was total neglect of the tourism sector, as the PNM braintrust linked it with slavery. Lip service was paid to the agricultural sector and now we are doing more importing than ever, sending valuable currency to foreign countries.

[Double Trouble]

In Brasil they are using Ethanol from cane as automobil fuel.

Yeah, but does Brazilians have the life skills to put delicate paint enhancements to stones around their cities and villages?

[Somebody007]

Well boy, at least Hazel Manning had a job and was earning she so called 'fat salary'.....unlike Oma Panday,...ummmmmm, how much money she have in the London Bank Account again.....and never worked one day in her life to earn that kind of money......I will say this once more, the $148 million dollar mansion is for the Prime Minister who is elected in office....not for Manning and company....so if Dookeran or your Golden Grove leader wins the elections, is right inside of that $148 million dollar mansion he is going to sit....ah hope Mr Golden Grove sends an invitation to you for supporting him if he wins the election because I know he heading straight for that mansion come November 6th if he wins the election. The private jet is also for the Prime Minister and it is not Manning's jet.....oh boy....jealousy kills eh....

Please read my long post as to why I support the shutting down of sugar cane production in Trinidad. Your comment here is an indication that you have ignored my response as to why CARDI, UWI and the Ministry of Agriculture supported to closure of Caroni 1975 Limited.

Somebody,

Now I am convinced you're Manning's son. You are supporting an act of nepotism, unheard of in any progressive country. We haven't witnessed this bold grab for power in any of the other islands in the region. Hazel didn't enter her name as a candidate and was not chosen by the citizens of T&T to represent their children's best interest. PappyTricks in his typical greedy fashion, appointed dumbarse for no other logical reason but to legally collect a second salary from the taxpayers of T&T. He lied to the public about her qualification, not that it mattered much, because she was still grossly unqualified to be the Education Minister. Even if Hazel was the most qualified person in T&T, this appointment goes against all ethics in politics and business.

You're going about Oma not working a day in her life and having a bank account. There are people right in Trinidad sitting with more than that measley $10 millionTTD in various bank accounts. There are many with multi-million investments ( condos and business ventures to name a couple ) in Europe and North America, not to mention the offshore bank accounts. Buddy, $10 millionTTD is chump change. Duprey, a local billionaire, says he gave the money as a scholarship to the daughters of the Pandays. The Mannings were also recipients of goodwill from a secret godfather. Brian and his younger brother were also on the receiving end of "scholarships" when Patrick was PM. So why question the Panday's scholarships? The money didn't come out of any government slush fund or PappyTricks would have used that evidence to further sully Bas's name. PappyTricks spent many millions, trying to gather evidence of wrong doing against Panday and all he and his PNM DPP could muster was a lamearse charge like failing to declare a bank account. An offence that many were guilty off but only Panday was the scapegoat. The whole premeditated setup, with the CM as a willing participant, is now blowing up like a ripe dhal fart in the face of shameless Manning. Shades of the coke and ammo in Baksh's water tank, if you ask me.

Try to justify as much as you want, that $148 million spent on the PM's residence. That was just way over the top, considering the obscene levels of poverty in T&T. Patrick has this penchant for throwing money around, like it's his hard earned cash. I have got news for the holy one, it's not yours to squander on a whim. A few years ago he doled out $600,000.00 for a gym for he and his family. Another example of never see come see behaviour by a man who has never held a real job in his life. $600,000.00 down the toilet. Don't come with your bullsh!t about the house is for the elected PM. Manning didn't build that palace thinking that someone else will be sleeping in the master bedroom in the near future. He is determined to die in office like his predecessor, the biggest thief in T&T's history aka the Fadda of the nation. If Patrick has his way and becomes the first executive president, there is no hope in hell that Jack or any of dem opposition fellas will be washing their balls in a bathtub of this $148 million obscenity. I guess Benny Hinn will not be blessing that house any time soon. :P As for a private jet for the Prime Minister, please give me ah freaking break! You are carrying on as if Manning of any PM of Trinidad for that matter, is a big player on the world stage. Jealousy you say, the feeling is more of disgust! Picture if you will, four hogs in a feeding frenzy, with swill dripping from their snouts and you may get the picture.

I didn't ignore your rant about the reasons for shutting down Caroni. This thread is not about whether sugar is or isn't a viable crop. Any fool can tell you that growing sugarcane just to sell sugar on the world market, is not the wisest of choices. There were other options that could have been exercised, long before the rug was yanked by this cruel Prime Minister. He will not dare pull a similar stunt with CEPEP and URP because black people will go on a rampage. Burn Baby Burn! This thread is about a PM who shows no empathy for the people that he was instrumental in destroying their way of life. He had the nerve to go into their village, rub salt in their wounds and make references to the bible. How insensitive of him to do that to an audience of mostly non Christians? Patrick is infamous for his religious faux pars, something you rarely see from first world leaders.


I finish argue with you. I leave you to God.

[King B]

Doh worry SB, I now start in he tail!

[Double Trouble]

Doh worry SB, I now start in he tail!

Ah gang bang or should I be thinking of a swarming? Note to self....leave your new runners, jacket and bling at home today.

[Double Trouble]

Well boy, at least Hazel Manning had a job and was earning she so called 'fat salary'.....unlike Oma Panday,...ummmmmm, how much money she have in the London Bank Account again.....and never worked one day in her life to earn that kind of money......I will say this once more, the $148 million dollar mansion is for the Prime Minister who is elected in office....not for Manning and company....so if Dookeran or your Golden Grove leader wins the elections, is right inside of that $148 million dollar mansion he is going to sit....ah hope Mr Golden Grove sends an invitation to you for supporting him if he wins the election because I know he heading straight for that mansion come November 6th if he wins the election. The private jet is also for the Prime Minister and it is not Manning's jet.....oh boy....jealousy kills eh....

Please read my long post as to why I support the shutting down of sugar cane production in Trinidad. Your comment here is an indication that you have ignored my response as to why CARDI, UWI and the Ministry of Agriculture supported to closure of Caroni 1975 Limited.

Somebody,

Now I am convinced you're Manning's son. You are supporting an act of nepotism, unheard of in any progressive country. We haven't witnessed this bold grab for power in any of the other islands in the region. Hazel didn't enter her name as a candidate and was not chosen by the citizens of T&T to represent their children's best interest. PappyTricks in his typical greedy fashion, appointed dumbarse for no other logical reason but to legally collect a second salary from the taxpayers of T&T. He lied to the public about her qualification, not that it mattered much, because she was still grossly unqualified to be the Education Minister. Even if Hazel was the most qualified person in T&T, this appointment goes against all ethics in politics and business.

You're going about Oma not working a day in her life and having a bank account. There are people right in Trinidad sitting with more than that measley $10 millionTTD in various bank accounts. There are many with multi-million investments ( condos and business ventures to name a couple ) in Europe and North America, not to mention the offshore bank accounts. Buddy, $10 millionTTD is chump change. Duprey, a local billionaire, says he gave the money as a scholarship to the daughters of the Pandays. The Mannings were also recipients of goodwill from a secret godfather. Brian and his younger brother were also on the receiving end of "scholarships" when Patrick was PM. So why question the Panday's scholarships? The money didn't come out of any government slush fund or PappyTricks would have used that evidence to further sully Bas's name. PappyTricks spent many millions, trying to gather evidence of wrong doing against Panday and all he and his PNM DPP could muster was a lamearse charge like failing to declare a bank account. An offence that many were guilty off but only Panday was the scapegoat. The whole premeditated setup, with the CM as a willing participant, is now blowing up like a ripe dhal fart in the face of shameless Manning. Shades of the coke and ammo in Baksh's water tank, if you ask me.

Try to justify as much as you want, that $148 million spent on the PM's residence. That was just way over the top, considering the obscene levels of poverty in T&T. Patrick has this penchant for throwing money around, like it's his hard earned cash. I have got news for the holy one, it's not yours to squander on a whim. A few years ago he doled out $600,000.00 for a gym for he and his family. Another example of never see come see behaviour by a man who has never held a real job in his life. $600,000.00 down the toilet. Don't come with your bullsh!t about the house is for the elected PM. Manning didn't build that palace thinking that someone else will be sleeping in the master bedroom in the near future. He is determined to die in office like his predecessor, the biggest thief in T&T's history aka the Fadda of the nation. If Patrick has his way and becomes the first executive president, there is no hope in hell that Jack or any of dem opposition fellas will be washing their balls in a bathtub of this $148 million obscenity. I guess Benny Hinn will not be blessing that house any time soon. :P As for a private jet for the Prime Minister, please give me ah freaking break! You are carrying on as if Manning of any PM of Trinidad for that matter, is a big player on the world stage. Jealousy you say, the feeling is more of disgust! Picture if you will, four hogs in a feeding frenzy, with swill dripping from their snouts and you may get the picture.

I didn't ignore your rant about the reasons for shutting down Caroni. This thread is not about whether sugar is or isn't a viable crop. Any fool can tell you that growing sugarcane just to sell sugar on the world market, is not the wisest of choices. There were other options that could have been exercised, long before the rug was yanked by this cruel Prime Minister. He will not dare pull a similar stunt with CEPEP and URP because black people will go on a rampage. Burn Baby Burn! This thread is about a PM who shows no empathy for the people that he was instrumental in destroying their way of life. He had the nerve to go into their village, rub salt in their wounds and make references to the bible. How insensitive of him to do that to an audience of mostly non Christians? Patrick is infamous for his religious faux pars, something you rarely see from first world leaders.


I finish argue with you. I leave you to God.

Is that a Christian God, Hindu God, Muslim God or Patrick manning?

[Somebody007]

I leave you to the God which created the Heavens and the Earth and everything which was made by His Mighty Hands. Thats all.

[Double Trouble]

I leave you to the God which created the Heavens and the Earth and everything which was made by His Mighty Hands. Thats all.

Hmmm! That scammer Benny Hinn always mentions that God in his grabfest talks.

[King B]

Aye DT, let me know when you are ready to explain why the private sector is not getting into the sugar cane industry.

[JPersad]

MG ,
Here is why Manning can be cocky :
Even with all the recent revelations about RLM running to Manning with damning pictures about Bas (when he should have gone instead to the police , if he so cared about corruption ).
Even knowing that Bas did nothing about the employeeas of Caroni 1975 LTD.

Manning knows that the majority of Indo trinis willl pretend that Bas is god and will vote for the UNC , no matter of he digging out their eyes.He also knows that the younger generation thinks differently and because this will split the vote , he Manning can do what the hell he wants !

So come the day after election , if the PNM wins a special majority ,don't start no BS about the COP ad Dookeran cause that !
The truth of the matter will be that this BS started the day Panday gave the government to the PNM after RLM was kicked out !
The truth of the matter will be that Panday and RLM care only about themselves .
The truth of the matter will be that the majoritiy of Indo Trinis will once again , royally and loyally screw themselves over !

Getting back to the main point , can ethanol production be economically viable ?

[Maccogirl]

Manning says over his dead body no more cane, well Manning inform we nah after you tell the public that you building all these fancy high rise towers in POS was to stop these greedy Syrian people from getting taxpayers money in rental, I myself come on here and say good move this nonsense must stop.

So how come Issa Nicholas just yesterday get another contract to rent 6 floor in his glass building downtown for 7 million a year....why Patos yuh does lie just so??? Geez man I just cant believe this one. :roll:

[King B]

So he must build new buildings for every Ministry in just 5 years? Oh ho. Or maybe the Min. of Industry of Trade should just operate next to the statue on Independence Square? At least they would be closer to the people. :roll:

[Maccogirl]

King now you dancing, I came on here and said I fully supported that move by Manning if it was his intent, but lord this is a total turn around and a slap in the face, why did he not just say that he knew before hand he would of still had to pay rental to others, but no he gave the impression that this was the reason for all these building when people was asking him why spend all this money when there are so many other things that are immediately important like health care for one.

We can use a good hospital in POS and everyone will agree with that, millions of dollars going in concrete structures, with overhead pathways and car parks now you coming and saying if he must build a new building for every ministry??? Nah King you cant be serious.

[raider]

kingb wrote:

'Aye DT, let me know when you are ready to explain why the private sector is not getting into the sugar cane industry.'

what private company owns canelands like caroni does? after manning finishes his mugabe tricks with with the prime caroni cane lands, you will have people that don't know a fart about agriculture owning large ares of trinidad's best agricultural lands. their only qualification will be their ties to manning and the pnm party.

[King B]

Raider, what is to stop any private sector company from purchasing canes from current farmers or purchasing land for cane farming? Maybe the lack of any viable market? What you think? :roll:

[JPersad]

KB ,
Manning , the PM should have been more sensitive to this .
It is heart wrenching for these farmers to just turn their back and walk away from the sugar cane .It was the sugarcane that bought them here .it was the sugarcane that they toiled over so that they could feed , clothe shelter and send their children to school . it was the sugar cane that made them somebody .
I worked the cane fields with my father and brother and even though we gave it up many many years ago , it is still near and dear to our hearts .

Manning should man up , and apologize for being insensitive !

[King B]

Agreed, I also think the statement was insensitive.

The statemnt is also supported by cold, hard facts; the sugar industry is dead.

[Solachica]

You know I pass near cane fields everyday and for the past couple of yrs if you see the size tht the canes were. I agree with KB on the sugar industry being dead. The fields have been producing next to nothing for yrs now.
They tried planting acres of pumpkin some yrs ago instead of the cane and even tht failed.
And I wud still maintain tht Caroni was corrupt and and a drain for the economy. And not just corrupt for any 1 Govt. The managers go down were corrupt. They became to comfortable and fattened themselves. The talk long time for training extension officers was I want a work in Caroni but its was who you knew there tht got you in.
I knew many people working in Caroni especially the extension officers and saw tht they were compensated and are living good today, some even working in Ministry of Agri now. But there are also those who stupidly spent all their money are complain now.
Wht they wanted it to be kept running for? Sentimental reason?

[vaio]

But chica, do you know how many ppl ie the cane farmers had their livelihood taken away from them... they now have almost nothing to live on daily... why did the gov't not privatise Caroni...who knows what wld have become of Caroni then..

Maybe the reason that Caroni was so mis-managed is because the gov'ts were themselves mis-managed..and corrupt..Caroni cld have been diversified into a viable entity...but the gov't of the day choose to just close up shop...

There are thousands suffering right now...because of Patos!!

[Mr Majik]

DT boy...you is a rell piece a work oui. You want a conservative government to act like a socialist one, but when you were commenting on Canadian politics you denounced socialist practises and embraced conservative ideology. So what's the scene?
Are you only a socialist when it comes to Indo-Trinis, and a conservative otherwise?

Now, from what I've seen and heard it's apparent that T'dad's sugar industry was not viable. Even for ethanol production T'dad cannot produce enough sugar cane to make that venture viable. As several people have suggested, if sugar had money in it the private sector would have jumped all over it.
A couple posters question why the government didn't privatise Caroni. The fact is the gov't doesn't have to acively seek buyers for a State business to become privately owned. Any smart business person that sees a future in a particular commodity would recognize it. From the time the gov't started talking about divesting Caroni business men and women woud have been lining up to bid on it, if Caroni had profit potential. Panday and all would have probably organised to try to purchase it with investors.

On a side note to DT...you wanna know why your posts are seen as racist? Well, when you colour your comments with things like "Note to self....leave your new runners, jacket and bling at home today." because KingB said he was now starting in yuh tail, one may construe that all you think a black man means with such a comment is that he is coming to rob you, when the comment only suggests that he is coming to give you more arguments.
Taken alone, this may not mean much. But add all the similar comments you've made, plus your ridiculous assertions that young black thugs are holding the whole City of Toronto hostage, one can then see where you're coming from. And I can see, you eh comng from no, "Side by Side We Stand," school of thought.

[sam48]

The destruction of Caroni Ltd is a saga that is still unfolding.
Caroni Ltd could have been transformed into thebase for a revolution in agriculture to produce food for the nation. The oil and gas money that is being doled out through CEPEP and URP and all the other make work schemes could have been used to pay these same people to develop the agriculture sector to produce food it is another waste of the country's assets,much like the PNM decision to scrap the railway that wnt from POS straight to Siparia. Instead of maintaining and extending that asset they destroyed it . Now is billon dollars plans to bring back a rail system.
The steel rails were sold as scrap to a PNM financier.
I was amazed to learn of the extent of subsidies paid to farmers in the US. it indicates the seriousness of that govt about producing food for the nation and for export.

[nobellium]

I love this talk about involving the private sector in sugarcane...

It is hilarious how the privated sector had welcomed the govt because of their sequestering of such a large number of the workforce for the productive jobs in the CEPEP and URP.

Its alo nice how the massive increases in food and building supplies brought on by govt policy has been so openly welcomed by many.

Oh yes , the private sector is always on the Govt's mind.

[King B]

What dat have to do with the for cane sugar industry? :roll:

[Maccogirl]

What is the problem we will import sugar as a matter of fact PNM will import every thing we need, don't we have the money to do so?? Hardco, Neal & Massy, Alstons and those fellas will be happy is that not the name of the game keep the rich richer who cares when butter is 20.00 and Cheese is 27.00 now the importers happy money flowing.

Hi Lo will fill their shelves with ridiculous stuff like Maple Syrup for 45.00, Eggo pancakes 36.00, Kellogg's getting close to 40.00 a box things nice in la la land. If you feel to bake a pigeon sorry a chicken walk with a 40.00. powder milk going close to 90.00 a tin we going good things nice once again. :lol: vote PNM we free :lol:

Import the sugar man, we don't have to use it do we, just like sex we don't have a do that we can watch TV, T&T already have too many children according to Manning so what is a little sugar to do without :lol: :lol:

[Double Trouble]

What is the problem we will import sugar as a matter of fact PNM will import every thing we need, don't we have the money to do so?? Hardco, Neal & Massy, Alstons and those fellas will be happy is that not the name of the game keep the rich richer who cares when butter is 20.00 and Cheese is 27.00 now the importers happy money flowing.

Hi Lo will fill their shelves with ridiculous stuff like Maple Syrup for 45.00, Eggo pancakes 36.00, Kellogg's getting close to 40.00 a box things nice in la la land. If you feel to bake a pigeon sorry a chicken walk with a 40.00. powder milk going close to 90.00 a tin we going good things nice once again. :lol: vote PNM we free :lol:

Import the sugar man, we don't have to use it do we, just like sex we don't have a do that we can watch TV, T&T already have too many children according to Manning so what is a little sugar to do without :lol: :lol:

Macco,

The Mannings don't care that the food prices are going up as they don't have to face the grocery. PappyTricks getting food allowance, DumbArse getting food allowance and the other two Mannings are enjoying the free ride. Allyuh think Patrick ready to give that up real soon? Well, this is what Patrick would have to say about that...."Over my dead forcane body"

[Tobago Boy]

Throughout this debate only two word comes to my mind, Diversification and biofuel. Like we ent hear bout these two concepts. If we need to maintain the social elements of Sugar "we do need to balance social issues and profitability", then biofuel may be a way to go. Brazil, South Africa even India has diversified their sugar plantations to produce cane for biofuel. Or is it that we are so abundantly blessed with oil and gas that we are not looking for alternatives to save our reserves. :o

[Somebody007]

What is the problem we will import sugar as a matter of fact PNM will import every thing we need, don't we have the money to do so?? Hardco, Neal & Massy, Alstons and those fellas will be happy is that not the name of the game keep the rich richer who cares when butter is 20.00 and Cheese is 27.00 now the importers happy money flowing.

Hi Lo will fill their shelves with ridiculous stuff like things nice in la la land. If you feel to bake a pigeon sorry a chicken walk with a 40.00. powder milk going close to 90.00 a tin we going good things nice once again. :lol: vote PNM we free :lol:

Import the sugar man, we don't have to use it do we, just like sex we don't have a do that we can watch TV, T&T already have too many children according to Manning so what is a little sugar to do without :lol: :lol:

Macco,

The Mannings don't care that the food prices are going up as they don't have to face the grocery. PappyTricks getting food allowance, DumbArse getting food allowance and the other two Mannings are enjoying the free ride. Allyuh think Patrick ready to give that up real soon? Well, this is what Patrick would have to say about that...."Over my dead forcane body"


Food prices will only go down when Trinidad and Tobago learns to become self sufficient and grow its own food. Yuh see that list of food stuffs mentioned by Maccogirl dey....Maple Syrup for 45.00, Eggo pancakes 36.00, Kellogg's getting close to 40.00 a box.....all this is foreign food. Even if it was produced locally, it would still be expensive....take for example...Matouks pigeon peas in the tin....while you might see a label made in Trinidad and Tobago....the fact of the matter is...unlike long ago, Matouks would package pigeon peas grown in Trinidad, now, they import the peas and package it here only.....and so is most other locally made stuffs....There is no other way for food prices to come down....we need to start growing our food and become self sufficient.

[Double Trouble]

What is the problem we will import sugar as a matter of fact PNM will import every thing we need, don't we have the money to do so?? Hardco, Neal & Massy, Alstons and those fellas will be happy is that not the name of the game keep the rich richer who cares when butter is 20.00 and Cheese is 27.00 now the importers happy money flowing.

Hi Lo will fill their shelves with ridiculous stuff like things nice in la la land. If you feel to bake a pigeon sorry a chicken walk with a 40.00. powder milk going close to 90.00 a tin we going good things nice once again. :lol: vote PNM we free :lol:

Import the sugar man, we don't have to use it do we, just like sex we don't have a do that we can watch TV, T&T already have too many children according to Manning so what is a little sugar to do without :lol: :lol:

Macco,

The Mannings don't care that the food prices are going up as they don't have to face the grocery. PappyTricks getting food allowance, DumbArse getting food allowance and the other two Mannings are enjoying the free ride. Allyuh think Patrick ready to give that up real soon? Well, this is what Patrick would have to say about that...."Over my dead forcane body"


Food prices will only go down when Trinidad and Tobago learns to become self sufficient and grow its own food. Yuh see that list of food stuffs mentioned by Maccogirl dey....Maple Syrup for 45.00, Eggo pancakes 36.00, Kellogg's getting close to 40.00 a box.....all this is foreign food. Even if it was produced locally, it would still be expensive....take for example...Matouks pigeon peas in the tin....while you might see a label made in Trinidad and Tobago....the fact of the matter is...unlike long ago, Matouks would package pigeon peas grown in Trinidad, now, they import the peas and package it here only.....and so is most other locally made stuffs....There is no other way for food prices to come down....we need to start growing our food and become self sufficient.

Somebody,

How will that be possible, when there is such a huge stigma about working in agriculture? The government's policies in regards to URP and CEPEP have just about killed any chances of getting labour for farming. Why work for a dollar in the hot sun when you can get two dollars from the government, for sleeping under a tree?

[Somebody007]

The mentality of the people has to change. People have to make a decent living from agriculture in order to get people planting back into the fields again. By the way, since we on this topic, are any of the forumites into agriculture...planting crops or livestock??

[Double Trouble]

The mentality of the people has to change. People have to make a decent living from agriculture in order to get people planting back into the fields again. By the way, since we on this topic, are any of the forumites into agriculture...planting crops or livestock??

Somebody,

That may be an option for me.

[BW]

Throughout this debate only two word comes to my mind, Diversification and biofuel. Like we ent hear bout these two concepts. If we need to maintain the social elements of Sugar "we do need to balance social issues and profitability", then biofuel may be a way to go. Brazil, South Africa even India has diversified their sugar plantations to produce cane for biofuel. Or is it that we are so abundantly blessed with oil and gas that we are not looking for alternatives to save our reserves. :o

We aren't Brazil, South Africa or even India. Those places all have vast swaths of land and more agricultural capacity than they can handle; they can grow all the food they need for themselves and still have more left over. That excess capacity can be turned into biofuel, since it would otherwise go to waste.

Our situation is very different. We don't have enough available arable land to feed ourselves, let alone have excess for biofuel production. "King sugar" and other crops-for-export industries are not what we need right now. Sure we could see those products for foreign exchange, but we would still be in the dotish position we are in now: no food security and facing ever increasing global food prices. At this point in time, it's far more beneficial for us to be planting the things for the local market, like ochro, bhaji, plantin, pactchoi, cassava, water greens, lettice, rice, fig, onion, tomatoes, grapefruit, dasheen, pineapple, etc. Diversification, as you said.

The concept of "Food security" should be first and foremost in any designing any new agricultural project. Biofuels or other crops-for-export shouldn't even be on our radar, regardless if it has historical significance to a part of the population.

[King B]

Throughout this debate only two word comes to my mind, Diversification and biofuel. Like we ent hear bout these two concepts. If we need to maintain the social elements of Sugar "we do need to balance social issues and profitability", then biofuel may be a way to go. Brazil, South Africa even India has diversified their sugar plantations to produce cane for biofuel. Or is it that we are so abundantly blessed with oil and gas that we are not looking for alternatives to save our reserves. :o

We aren't Brazil, South Africa or even India. Those places all have vast swaths of land and more agricultural capacity than they can handle; they can grow all the food they need for themselves and still have more left over. That excess capacity can be turned into biofuel, since it would otherwise go to waste.

Our situation is very different. We don't have enough available arable land to feed ourselves, let alone have excess for biofuel production. "King sugar" and other crops-for-export industries are not what we need right now. Sure we could see those products for foreign exchange, but we would still be in the dotish position we are in now: no food security and facing ever increasing global food prices. At this point in time, it's far more beneficial for us to be planting the things for the local market, like ochro, bhaji, plantin, pactchoi, cassava, water greens, lettice, rice, fig, onion, tomatoes, grapefruit, dasheen, pineapple, etc. Diversification, as you said.

The concept of "Food security" should be first and foremost in any designing any new agricultural project. Biofuels or other crops-for-export shouldn't even be on our radar, regardless if it has historical significance to a part of the population.

The most intelligent post yet!

[Solachica]

true :geek:

[gaia]

How will that be possible, when there is such a huge stigma about working in agriculture?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIME TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE PAST AND THOSE SO CALLED "STIGMAS" ATTACHED TO AGRICULTURE. wHAT crap! aGRICULTURE, WORKING WITH MOTHER EARTH, THE SOURCE OF OUR VERY EXISTANCE CAN NEVER BE DEMEANING. bUT WHEN NOW, LONG AFTER SLAVERY, ppl are not encouraged to change their mindset and go foward, an de fadder say, agriculture is slavery, what do you expect. Milking the earth of the last drop of oil or gas is not robbery, especially when it is squandered?

[Somebody007]

Throughout this debate only two word comes to my mind, Diversification and biofuel. Like we ent hear bout these two concepts. If we need to maintain the social elements of Sugar "we do need to balance social issues and profitability", then biofuel may be a way to go. Brazil, South Africa even India has diversified their sugar plantations to produce cane for biofuel. Or is it that we are so abundantly blessed with oil and gas that we are not looking for alternatives to save our reserves. :o

We aren't Brazil, South Africa or even India. Those places all have vast swaths of land and more agricultural capacity than they can handle; they can grow all the food they need for themselves and still have more left over. That excess capacity can be turned into biofuel, since it would otherwise go to waste.

Our situation is very different. We don't have enough available arable land to feed ourselves, let alone have excess for biofuel production. "King sugar" and other crops-for-export industries are not what we need right now. Sure we could see those products for foreign exchange, but we would still be in the dotish position we are in now: no food security and facing ever increasing global food prices. At this point in time, it's far more beneficial for us to be planting the things for the local market, like ochro, bhaji, plantin, pactchoi, cassava, water greens, lettice, rice, fig, onion, tomatoes, grapefruit, dasheen, pineapple, etc. Diversification, as you said.

The concept of "Food security" should be first and foremost in any designing any new agricultural project. Biofuels or other crops-for-export shouldn't even be on our radar, regardless if it has historical significance to a part of the population.


Nice post that makes sense. When will The Light come out from the darkness and realise that the state of agriculture in T&T is more than just a political issue.