Tobago Correspondent
As CEPEP workers in Tobago get ready to replace their bushwackers with farming tools, stakeholders are anticipating a difficult transition, as many believe an overhaul of the work culture is required.
During Monday’s Budget presentation, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts revealed the CEPEP programme will now fall under Division of Food Security.
Roberts said workers will be employed on mega farms in an initiative designed to boost Tobago’s food resilience.
She anticipated a doubling of the agricultural output in the next fiscal year, with the sector’s contribution to the island’s gross domestic product moving from one to two per cent.
Curtis Williams, chairman of the Tobago arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, told CNC3’s The Morning Brew that he was eager to see Thursday’s Budget debate for a more detailed explanation on how the programme will be implemented. However, he said a shift in mindset is required for the initiative to bear fruit.
“Re-engineering the CEPEP mentality or the minds of the CEPEP folks into farming is a difficult task,” he said.
“They normally do two, three hours on morning—if so much— and to get them now going and treating with agriculture on a massive way is not an easy task.”
Williams said he anticipates some pushback from CEPEP employees and queried what their working hours would be on these mega farms.
Roberts also announced the renaming of the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) to the Programme for Infrastructure Upgrade in Urban and Rural Communities.
The URP has long incorporated agriculture as part of its programme with farms in Roxborough and other locations.
Secretary of Public Infrastructure and Transportation Natisha Charles-Pantin confirmed yesterday that URP will maintain its agricultural component.
Roland Murray, assistant regional supervisor, agriculture unit, URP, said a passion for farming is key to reaping a bountiful harvest.
Murray said he was in full support of the CEPEP initiative as the island must be able to feed itself.
However, he too agreed that it would be difficult for the CEPEP workers to transition into farming after years of working in that programme.
He said farmers must have passion, discipline and a strong work ethic.
He said proper training with agronomists and other officials is needed so CEPEP workers can understand the basics.
Murray said even in the URP agriculture unit, some participants are not fully invested.
“It is up to the people to show their interest in it. This morning I had a meeting with my workers to get them interested in it. People just want to kill the time, the two hours, to go home and do what they have to do. Yuh have to instill it for them to understand, we have to be able to feed we self.”
He urged CEPEP and URP workers to take agriculture seriously, as it could be the key to their financial freedom.
He said the restructuring of the CEPEP was necessary as having dozens of workers beautifying one park was not the best use of resources.
At Monday’s post-budget media conference, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said there will be a coordinated approach to decide the crops for the mega farms.
He said the aim is to develop Tobagonians to make them more self-reliant and prosperous.
“The average Tobago deserves more than just a THA wuk, more than just a morning wuk, more than a few minutes just cutlassing,” he said.
