THE EDITOR: The 33 per cent increase in the price of NFM flour will impact the cost of food and the quality of life for many in the country.

Most basic food items consumed in this country have flour as part of their ingredients. Therefore the impact of this price increase will be felt by thousands, especially those in the lower income bracket.

Those who are health conscious may say this price rise won't impact them and in fact ought to push people to eat better. However, the reality is the majority of people consume flour in some form or the other.

The impact could also be felt in the business community when customers stop buying food because of price increases, which are the inevitable outcome of the flour price rise.

This means unemployment for those in the food industry.

What is also very painful is that non-flour food items have also increased. It is costing more to put food on the table.

With every passing day, eating in TT is becoming an expensive undertaking. Spare a thought for those who are unemployed or who are on a basic minimum wage with several mouths to feed.

The writing in terms of food costs has been on the wall for several years, as it is a well-known fact that TT's annual food import bill is over a billion dollars. What then have successive governments done to ensure TT's food security?

Have we fully utilised our agricultural potential? If not, why not?

As the prospect of higher food prices and perhaps food shortages loom, local businesses and the financial institutions must look at the bigger picture - people are suffering. It can't only be about maximising profits to the detriment of society.

When last have companies given a salary increase to their employees? It can no longer be just about profit margins.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH

San Juan

The post Water truly more than flour in TT appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.