Ghana has extended a generous agricultural gift to the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, donating 10,000 yam seeds to support its food security and reduce reliance on imported staples. This initiative follows Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s visit to Ghana, reinforcing the strong diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.

Dr. Rowley, speaking at the Tucker Valley Shade House in Chaguaramas Agricultural Park yesterday, expressed gratitude for the donation and emphasized its potential to transform Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural landscape.

The donation of the yam seeds marks an important step in agricultural collaboration between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. As a leading producer of yams in West Africa, Ghana is sharing its expertise and high-quality yam varieties to help diversify food sources in the Caribbean.

“We have received 10,000 units of planting material representing four different varieties of yam, courtesy of our Ghanaian partners. This initiative is not only about agriculture but also about strengthening ties between our nations,” Dr. Rowley stated.

The Prime Minister stressed that this initiative aligns with Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to reduce its food import bill, which amounts to billions of dollars annually. However, he noted that the success of the project depends on citizens embracing yams as a primary food source instead of imported alternatives.

Reflecting on his visit to Ghana, Dr. Rowley highlighted the superior quality of Ghanaian yams, describing them as smooth, soft, and rich in flavor. He emphasized their potential to replace imported Irish potatoes, which currently form a large part of the Trinidadian diet.

“During my visit to Ghana, I had the opportunity to taste these white yams. They were delicious and can easily serve as a substitute for the white potatoes we import from Canada,” he explained.

He further encouraged citizens to return to traditional foods, noting that previous generations in Trinidad and Tobago consumed more locally grown ground provisions.

The donated yams will be planted across different regions in Trinidad and Tobago to assess their adaptability to local soil conditions. Some have already been cultivated in western Tobago, with additional planting set to take place in Mason Hall in the coming weeks.

Dr. Rowley explained that these trials would help determine which varieties thrive best, guiding future investments and encouraging local farmers to integrate Ghanaian yams into their production.

“Our goal is to gather valuable data and make informed decisions about expanding yam cultivation. We want to ensure that when we encourage farmers to grow these crops, we do so with confidence in their productivity,” he stated.

The Prime Minister urged Trinidadians and Tobagonians to embrace Ghanaian yams as a nutritious and sustainable food option. He emphasized that increasing local production and consumption of yams would not only benefit public health but also save foreign exchange.

“As we grow these yams, we won’t need to spend foreign currency to import them. All we need is the willingness to consume what we produce,” he added.

The event was attended by high-ranking government officials, including Prime Minister-designate Stuart Young, Minister of Agriculture Kazim Hosein, and Minister of Youth Development and National Service Foster Cummings.

Ghana’s donation of yam seeds is expected to leave a lasting impact on Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural sector, reinforcing Ghana’s role as a key partner in the Caribbean’s food security efforts. With the first harvest expected in six to nine months, both nations look forward to the successful integration of Ghanaian yams into Trinidad and Tobago’s food culture.