Sustainable policy development in small island development states (SIDS) in the Caribbean: evaluating sustainable economic development and diversification within the agriculture sector in Trinidad and Tobago

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a twin island state within the English-speaking Caribbean, located southernmost of the Lesser Antilles, and comprises of a rich diversity of culture, ethnicities, flora and fauna, and natural resources, mainly oil and gas. It is a small but high-incomed country with a population of 1.3 million people, and has become a major financial centre in the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago’s economy is primarily driven by the hydrocarbon and energy sector, which contributes approximately 46% to total GDP. However as with hydrocarbon based or single sector based economies of developing countries, it is essential for sustainable economic diversification and sector development to take place in order to support the country’s economy in times of declining hydrocarbon activity.

This thesis aims to examine the gaps that exist within the agriculture policy framework of the agriculture sector of Trinidad and Tobago, to outline and determine the feasibility of developing the sector thereby becoming a significant contributor to economic growth, and to propose recommendations based on the identified gaps within the agriculture policy framework, for sustainable development of the sector.

The research takes an interpretivistic epistemology, following a subjective ontology, and an abductive approach towards data collection which were subsequently analysed qualitatively. Primary data were obtained using semi-structured open-ended questions from participants belonging to the three major segments of the agriculture sector where face-to-face interviews including key policy and decision makers, various stakeholders and farmers were conducted, whereas secondary data sources were obtained from statistical reports, government journals and other related reports.

The data has indicated that significant gaps exist within the agriculture policy framework of Trinidad and Tobago, preventing the development of the sector, which restricts the sector as a mechanism for sustainable growth. The data also indicate that amendments to the identified gaps, as well as the themes developed and discussed during fulfilment of this research thesis, will ensure the agriculture sector of Trinidad and Tobago can serve as a catalyst to stimulate economic activity, inevitably becoming a valuable contributor to sustainable economic growth of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy.