Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago covers about 5,130 km² and consists of two main islands located off the northeastern coast of South America. Unlike many Caribbean islands, Trinidad has a varied landscape that includes plains, hills and forested mountain ranges such as the Northern Range. The country has a tropical climate with seasonal rainfall, supporting diverse ecosystems and agricultural activity.

Before European colonisation, Indigenous peoples practised subsistence farming and fishing. Under Spanish and later British rule, plantation agriculture developed, focusing on crops such as sugar cane and cocoa. After independence in 1962, agriculture declined in importance as oil and gas production became the dominant economic sectors.
Today, the primary sector contributes only about 1% of GDP, reflecting the country’s strong reliance on energy exports. However, agriculture still plays a role in food supply and rural employment. Roughly 10–15% of the land is used for agriculture. Sugar cane once dominated farming but has largely disappeared. Current crops include cocoa, coffee, fruits, vegetables and root crops, mainly for domestic consumption. Livestock farming includes poultry, cattle and goats.

Forests cover nearly 45% of Trinidad and Tobago’s territory, particularly in upland areas, providing timber and environmental protection.

The surrounding waters support fisheries, which supply fish, shrimp and other seafood for local markets.
Overall, Trinidad and Tobago’s primary sector reflects its geography and history: small-scale farming in fertile areas, significant forest cover and coastal fisheries. While the economy is now dominated by oil and gas, agriculture, forestry and fishing remain important for food security and rural livelihoods.Gerold was 2018 for three days in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. Before he had landed on Tobago and got off the plane, but then I flew on. In Port of Spain a nice small accommodation (Innat87, directly at the Savanna (Queen's park), with many gardens (was in the Botanical Garden), historical buildings (I was in the National and Art Gallery: see picture) and people.