Challenges
The new board of the ADB has so far held three meetings. Maharaj described the work ahead as "challenging." He would like to see 30 per cent of ADB's financing going to new technologies, like greenhouses. "This is in line with new production and will be less labour intensive," he said. One of the biggest problems facing the agriculture industry and consumers is food inflation. Maharaj said all stakeholders in the agriculture industry need to work together, which he called a "strategic partnership," to overcome food inflation, for consumers to see lower food prices. He believes an increase in food production could lower food prices. "A lot of resources are being placed in this area. All stakeholders, including the ADB, National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco), and T&T Agribusiness Association, must work together on this. We are all inter-dependent. The relationship among all these players is being structured at this time."