MP for Oropouche West slams Minister of Agriculture for his criticism of the Buffalypso
The Member of Parliament for Oropouche West Mrs. Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh is condemning the Minister of Agriculture for his criticism of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s potential cash cows, the Buffalypso.
In a release issued on Monday the MP slammed Minister Rambharat for his comments at the recently concluded conference “Revitalizing the Buffalypso—Our National Treasure.”
The MP stated “This Rowley led PNM administration, true to form has opted to wash its hands off any responsibility and continues to show its incompetence in every critical sector including national security, healthcare and education.”
The MP explained the potential benefits of the revitalization of the Buffalypso in Trinidad and Tobago. “The Buffalypso, which is native to Trinidad and Tobago has the capability to produce important value added products.”
Mrs. Gayadeen Gopeesingh continued “It is a viable source of beef, milk and agri-based labor; one cannot fathom why the Minister would steer clear of this obvious solution to stimulate this domestic sector.
In Trinidad and Tobago a considerable amount of foreign exchange is used to import beef from the United States and other countries. Trinidad and Tobago imported over USD 100 million worth in meat and dairy products for 2017, imagine the considerable amount of foreign exchange that can be saved by promoting this breed.”
The Mora Valley Farm currently houses a herd of approximately one thousand animals.
Mrs. Gayadeen-Gopeesingh continued “The minister should consider making the requisite managerial alterations that can give the farm and by extension the herd a chance to earn revenue for the country.”
The MP concluded “The Buffalypso is a national treasure and it is unfortunate that it has been doing considerably better overseas than in its place of origin. The minister should reach out to the private sector with a sound policy to not only incentivize but revitalize the Buffalypso in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Vidia Gayadeen- Gopeesingh
Dated: 4th June 2018