Stakeholders want an end to the red tape which they believe is hampering the sector, and more research and development to address the problems affecting farmers.
These were among the issues highlighted by agriculturists during recent public discussions held at venues across the island.
The stakeholders also want a retooling of the Ministry of Agriculture’s incentive and rebate scheme, and the rising food import bill dealt with – and Barbadians to stop bashing the agricultural profession and develop innovative ways to encourage more young Barbadians to get involved in the field.
Several participants cited the failure of successive governments to invest adequately in the agriculture sector and reposition it as a pillar of the economy as one of the major issues impacting its present growth.
Neville Cato, who has been involved in agriculture for 37 years, said not enough young Barbadians were aware of the basics of agriculture, such as growing crops, and suggested the reintroduction of agricultural science in schools.
Cato was also concerned that there would be no continuity in agriculture, with not enough young people working in the field.
Noted agriculturalist Senator Dr Francis Chandler called on law-enforcement officials to carry out searches in an effort to stamp out predial larceny in Barbados and also suggested forging a closer relationship between the supply and demand aspects of the local agricultural sector so farmers would know exactly what crops their clients required.
Dairy and livestock farmer Annette Beckett urged Barbadians to stop paying lip service to the agricultural sector and suggested that the ministry take a look at its incentive scheme, particularly how it defined the term “incentive” and expressed concern about the way bureaucracy impacts the administrative side of the business.
Hayden Rogers lamented that not enough market research was done on the agricultural sector, particularly the consumption patterns of Barbadians, and argued that agriculture could not move forward or attract financing if relevant data was not available.
Allan Kirton, a small farmer and entrepreneur from Four Roads, St Philip, said he was dismayed that Barbados was still importing fruit and vegetables that could be grown here. He believed that developing a niche market for local fruit and juice could not only create jobs but bring in valuable foreign exchange.
William Johnson, an agricultural entrepreneur, suggested encouraging family farming, where Barbadians would live on and work their own lots.
Jennifer Inniss suggested that further research into some of the plant resources on the island could have tremendous long-term benefits for the sector.