BARBADOS IS IN A GOOD POSITION to cut its annual fruit and vegetable import bill by more than $50 million.
But, according to CEO of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, it’s going to call for curbing Barbadians’ tendency to import food without considering the state of the local market or whether there’s a commodity boom, glut or shortage.
There will also have to be some safeguards against duty-free imports for special projects and some agencies finding their way into the open market, drastically forcing down sales of local produce, Paul told reporters yesterday.
At the same time, the major buyers of local fruits and vegetables, including supermarkets and hotels, will have to be more forthcoming with information on their own future purchasing prospects to help farmers plan their production cycles, he said. (TY)
Please read the full story in today’s Midweek Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
