By Sue-Ann Wayow
SINCE 2021, the Sure Foundation has distributed over 2.5 million seedlings to the population.
The foundation, led by economist Professor Roger Hosein and Dr Rebecca Gookool-Bosland, has been making a dent in the nation’s food import bill of $6.4 billion annually.
The latest distribution was on Saturday.
Along with Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally, the Sure Foundation handed out packets of seedling to motorists and passers-by in Felicity, in front of the R&N Supermarket.
There was a steady stream of people including young and old men and women and children who received seedlings including melongene, pimento, lettuce, tomato, chive, celery, passion fruit and barbadine.
Hosein said through the efforts of the foundation and its support staff, Sarah Hamilton and Shobha Sookdeo, the distribution drives have been successful.
“We have helped to boost national food security and among the recipients are orphanages, senior citizens’ homes, and every week we have been doing this for two years,” he said in a media release issued by the Chaguanas West constituency office.
The Sure Foundation grows some of the plants and also purchases from suppliers.
Hosein said the effort germinated during the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic when he set about encouraging people to plant their own food because of the blockages to food imports.
Rambally said it was the third time that the Chaguanas West constituency has been teaming up with the Sure Foundation to distribute seedings having already been to Munroe Road, Cunupia, and Ajodha Road in Warrenville.
The MP said, “It is an apolitical effort geared towards relieving the costs of food for the ordinary person who can easily utilise the spare space around their homes to cultivate food items that they use every day and not have to face the astronomical costs in the markets.”
Rambally also reiterated his call for Government to fulfil their promises to farmers to ensure food security for the nation as they are under attack daily from criminal elements who rob them and plunder their crops in broad daylight.
