Central Bureau
Dhano Sookoo, inaugurated for the seventh time as president of the Agricultural Society of T&T (ASTT), is calling on the Government to state its diversification plans for agriculture in light of falling oil prices.
Sookoo, who was embroiled in a war of words with Agriculture Minister Devant Maharaj last year over the issue of her re-election, made the call at her official inauguration at the Agriculture Society's office, Chaguanas, yesterday.
"The agriculture sector is very important now with falling oil prices and I am calling on the Government to say what its plans are for diversification."
Sookoo said she wanted to put the past behind her and work hand-in-hand with Maharaj for farmers and citizens, even making compromises where necessary.
She added: "2014 is past and we have nothing against the minister. We heard he even sent out congratulations to us."
Sookoo and her Watermelon team of 26 won the ASTT's elections last Sunday against the Tractor team headed by Sylvestor Pino.
Sookoo said word on the ground was that Pino had the support of Maharaj.
Dismissing any notion of elections fraud, she said the process was monitored by a court-appointed group headed by Justice Frank Seepersad and her team had nothing to do with it.
"It was free and fair process and we made a clean sweep of the elections," she said.
Sookoo said proper marketing of agricultural products and a revival of state agricultural agencies were high on the ASTT's agenda this year.
"We want to revive the Cocoa and Coffee Industry Board and the Trinidad Agri Business Association.
"We want to mobilise and re-energise all farmers' groups," she added.
She said the ASTT also intended to look at the high prices of agriculture products.
"We want to encourage farmers to get into shade house technology so they can produce crops all year round and keep the prices stable.
"We are also looking at pack houses where certain products can be stored in chillers for a period of time," she said.