Public Sector Investment Programme.

The Trinidad and Tobago Public Sector Investment Programme is a national Programme with a multi-sectoral approach. This Programme implements the goals set by the National Development Strategy 2016-2030. Its main objective is to transform Trinidad and Tobago into a developed country, with sustainable growth. The Programme also aims at creating the conditions for social advancement across all segments of the population particularly the vulnerable groups in society, increasing productivity and international competitiveness and providing a comprehensive, well-coordinated and holistic enabling platform for effective management of environmental issues across sectors.
The Programme addresses food security by developing different subsectors in agriculture. The Programme sets forth that the Fisheries Sub-sector will be expended; crop production for local consumption will be increased; modern physical infrastructure will be provided; the growth and expansion of quality livestock will be ensured and the modern agricultural retail markets will be improved aiming at providing an adequate supply of nutritious food to all citizens.
The Agricultural sector will be developed by increasing crop production both for local level and for export, by increasing the quality in and expanding the livestock sector, by expanding the fisheries sector, by increasing the quality of irrigation and upgrading the fishing landing facilities and by ensuring the land development for farmers. An increase in the domestic food supply will be ensured to provide feed stock for the agro-processing sector to supply food and food products for the domestic and export markets. Water management will be improved through the activities which include installation of sluice gates and outfall drains at communal irrigation systems, construction of sluice gates and related hydraulics at Dinsley River and construction of two pumping platforms and related works on the buffer ponds, and the purchase of new pumps. The forestry management will be developed by increasing and restoring the stock of forest resources in Trinidad including the implementation of the re-afforestation programme; development of forestry access roads and improvement to forest fire protection capability. To effectively manage the water resources of the country in order to provide a reliable water supply to meet current demand and to ensure sustainability for the future the Programme sets forth that a strategy will be executed to improve water supply throughout the country and mains will be installed along the South Trunk to improve the transmission capacity.
A more inclusive livelihood will be provided by expanding socio-economic development in rural communities, particularly through employment generation. To this end action will be taken in support of a revitalized horticulture industry. Education will be given in Ornamental Horticulture, open fields will be developed, plant collections will be expanded and pilot projects in horticulture centres targeting youth in rural communities will be done.
Support will be given for the development of a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector. Support will be given to private sector and agricultural business will be developed. A modern physical infrastructure will be provided such as irrigation systems and access roads. Scientific research will be supported and new agricultural technologies will be provided. The domestic and export markets will be developed. The efficiency in land management will be increased by creating a new enterprise-wide Land Information System of Trinidad and Tobago (LISTT) which will provide updated information on all State Lands under the purview of the Commissioner of State Lands which is used for agricultural, recreational, residential, environmental, transportation, institutional, industrial and commercial activities and for public purposes. The Fish Processing Industry will be developed aiming to improve the institutional and enabling environment to create opportunities for business development. The wholesale fish markets will be upgraded and expended in accordance with local public health regulations and international standards for food safety.
The Programme sets forth different disaster preparedness projects. Communities will be provided with adequate infrastructure and supplies to equip first responders in the event of natural disasters. Investment will made on disaster relief warehouses and shelters; disaster relief supplies such as cots, sheets, first-aid kits, food and water; vehicles for emergency response such as a low buoy trailer and a crawler type skid steer; emergency and mobile operation centres; early warning point systems; training and in vulnerable areas. The impact of flooding and the most crucial aspects of coastal erosion, instability, and flooding incidents along the coastline will be reduced and a ‘Critical Coastal Protection Programme’ implemented. The Programme also takes action to fulfill international environmental agreements which Trinidad and Tobago is part of. To the this end a Marine Research Field Station will be established; and a hydrological study of the Caroni River Basin will be conducted to determine the environmental fate and transport of land-based sources of pollutants and restore the hydrological regime; as well as an Environment Programme Coordination and the Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation and Mitigation Project will be continued.
Government institution mainly responsible from the implementation of this Programme is The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.