# Trinidad and Tobago distributes rice seed to support domestic production

> The agriculture ministry said about 90% of rice consumed in the country is imported.

- Canonical URL: https://newsverum.com/en/news/trinidad-tobago-rice-seed-distribution-october-2026
- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Agriculture
- Country: Trinidad & Tobago
- Published: 2026-10-13T01:40:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-13T01:40:12+00:00
- Event / data period: 2026-10-10
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Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries distributed high-quality rice seed to local farmers at the Central Experiment Station in Centeno on October 10, as part of an effort to expand domestic production. Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram said approximately 90% of the rice available for consumption in the country is imported.

The minister said seed assistance would need to translate into planted acreage and successful harvests, alongside improved access to water, drainage, machinery and affordable inputs. The ministry also cited a six-inch mobile pump that began operating at the Guayamare River in Caroni on October 6. The release does not quantify any resulting production increase.

## Data

### Minister’s estimate of rice import share

The minister said approximately 90% of rice available for consumption is imported.

Methodology: The approximate 90% figure is the minister’s statement on 10 October 2026. The release gives no reference period, method or formal statistical series, so the figure is presented only as a statement.

| Measure | Value | Period and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Share of rice available for consumption that is imported | 90 | Agriculture minister’s statement on 10 October 2026; no reference period stated. |

Sources: <https://agriculture.gov.tt/media-releases/high-quality-rice-seeds-to-support-local-farmers-and-boost-domestic-production/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/trinidad-tobago-rice-seed-distribution-october-2026/data/rice-import-share-statement?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/trinidad-tobago-rice-seed-distribution-october-2026/data/rice-import-share-statement?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries](<https://agriculture.gov.tt/media-releases/high-quality-rice-seeds-to-support-local-farmers-and-boost-domestic-production/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-13; Published: 2026-10-10)

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