Despite substantial Government investments in the agricultural sector, Government is concerned about the increasing number of fallow lands across Barbados.
Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir yesterday lamented that though the State provided resources such as water tanks, trucks and free cultivation services, constructed dams and made water connections in key farming areas like River Plantation, St Philip, yet farmers still left fields barren.
Speaking at the Barbados Agricultural Society’s (BAS) annual general meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, he called on BAS members to support the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation in pushing for full production in underutilised areas.
Highlighting recent innovations, he announced plans to expand the use of greenhouses to combat challenges caused by extreme heat and rainfall, a common complaint among farmers.
In an appeal to younger and technologically inclined farmers, Weir introduced the concept of freight farms, made in partnership with a Canadian group, to provide more controlled farming environments. He explained that these farms would allow producers
to monitor and manage their crops remotely through advanced digital technology, providing a solution to unpredictable weather conditions and theft.
Weir said unusual weather patterns, such as unprecedented heat and unexpected rainfall, have been predicted to continue through yearend. “You don’t have to believe me,” he said, “but when you walk out of this air-conditioned room, the first thing that is going to confront you is the heat out there.”
He said poor planning and lack of action now would hinder farmers’ ability to cultivate in the coming months, given the challenging ground conditions.
He said the 25 by 25 target – to reduce Barbados’ food imports by 25 per cent by 2025 – remained within reach if farmers rise to the occasion.
“What I want for Barbados is growth. I want growth in the sector,” Weir said, encouraging farmers to join him in making agriculture not just viable but lucrative.
(CLM)
