In an effort to push for accessibility of locally grown produce, the Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI), through its food sovereignty programme, hosted CAGRI Marketplace on Thursday.
The initiative brought local food producers and vendors to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus to display their produce for interested consumers to purchase.
The lawn in front of the Guild of Students was the location for vendors showcasing from fruits, herbs and vegetables to home-grown plants and all natural skin and body care products.
CAGRI director Dr Michele Singh said there was great appreciation for locally grown food and people usually purchased them when they were accessible and at their own convenience.
She noted that the selection of produce or foods could make or break the agriculture sector.
“If we choose to buy a locally grown bunch of celery over an imported bunch of celery, it means that we have empowered and enfranchised a farmer and he has a demand that he can then increase his supply, which means he earns more money,” she said.
Singh deemed the new Barbados Institute of Food and Agriculture as a revolutionary tool for Barbadians to have access to empower training, teaching, and development in agriculture as it aims to increase food production in Barbados.
New generation
She made the call for the agricultural image to be transformed to gauge the interest of the new generation.
“We need to transform the image of agriculture. Right now, we’re constantly influenced by foreign media and global trends that make everything look polished, exciting and aspirational.
“If we can’t show where the money is in agriculture, why should I encourage a young person to get involved? It is easier for them to go get a job and work for somebody and earn a salary but if we show them that agriculture has money and we give them the evidence through investable businesses, then it makes it attractive.”
She added that while young people were being encouraged to become involved in agriculture, they also needed to be shown how the new agriculture technologies were eliminating that bias in the thought process.
“When you hear agriculture, you think hot sun, long hours, and dirt but if we take it and transform it into this highly attractive technology-driven sector, we can see it happen. More young people will make better food choices and will opt to eat or buy local over an imported product,” she said. (AJ)
For how long we have been told “BUY BAJAN , BUY LOCAL”.