Namdevco: Farmers must bag their produce for sale

Since the news hit the country that covid19 was detected in TT, the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco) set about to make changes with local farmers to treat with the spread of this virus. Namdevco CEO Nirmalla Debysingh-Persad issued a call to all farmers to bag their produce to be sold.

“There are a number of changes that we have made but one the major change is to have farmers place their fruits, vegetables and greens into bags so that buyers will not be able to touch the bare produce.” Farmers are following the rules of Namdevco as on Saturday farmers bagged their produce to be sold at all 16 venues.

Persad said the Agriculture Ministry has been upgrading the fish markets and careful attention was being placed on the sale of fish during the season of Lent, and moreso now with the two cases being reported for the virus.

“We do not allow cleaning of fish in the market. Because it lends itself to a certain level of cleanliness,” she said. She said all vendors throughout the country, she said, are given face masks and gloves to use. “We advertised on social media that hand sanitisers will be available. It was mandatory that all consumers entering the market should use the hand sanitisers provided by Namdevco. As long as the epidemic is high in TT we plan to provide gloves and face masks." Namdevco, she said, is offer trading at the market in a clean environment.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat told Sunday Newsday that all produce sold out by 10.30 am on Saturday at the Woodford Lodge Farmers’ Market in Chaguanas. “Specific measures have been heightened by the ministry to deal with risks associated with covid19,” he said.

Following the closure of the Diego Martin Community Centre by the Culture Ministry, Rambharat said farmers were told to take their produce to the Chaguanas market and Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain. All Namdevco markets, he said, will be opened on Sunday from 6 am to 12 noon.

As outlined by Namdevco, they have since expanded the aisles in the market for customers to walk and make their purchases. This would reduce the risk of crowding and human contact among customers and vendors.

Persad said consumers are being advised to properly wash all fruits and vegetables before consumption. “We cannot overemphasise the importance of proper hand washing before, after and during food preparation activities in the home and workplace,” she said.