BARBADOS WAS forced to import almost 300 000 eggs over the Christmas period because of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Tomas.
Minister of Agriculture Dr David Estwick told the DAILY NATION the poultry and dairy industries were the hardest hit during the recent bad weather.
So much so, he said, Government had also considered importing chicken.
Estwick was speaking yesterday after a tour investigating irrigation solutions in St John with personnel from the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation, Soil Conservation Unit and the Ministry of Agriculture.
In a telephone interview, chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS),?James Paul, said they brought in the eggs from the United States.
“The BAS imported one container of eggs containing 840 cases, each with 350 eggs.
This was necessary to ensure consumers were adequately supplied as Tomas happened just before Christmas and we did not want a situation where consumers would not have access to eggs,” he said.
Paul said the poultry industry had now adequately recovered and further importation would be unnecessary.
On the issue of farmers getting assistance to aid in their recovery, Estwick said any farmers affected by the passing of Tropical Storm Tomas had to be proactive in sourcing funding to help themselves, adding there were several Government-sponsored initiatives in place.
“They have access to the Enterprise Growth Fund Ltd, Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), and there is some access in relation to the Catastrophe Fund and also ‘soft’ loans [low interest loans] supported by the ministry.
“We are still having challenges in getting all the damage mapped out as this takes time and we must prioritise. However, farmers have to assist themselves,” he said.
Estwick said St Lucy was one of the hardest hit parishes in light of additional problems with land slippage, but again stressed there were options in place for assistance.
However, Paul said there was a greater need for transparency in accessing agricultural funds.
“We need balance. When there is a crisis, Government rushes to the aid of the tourism industry but farmers find difficulty in getting assistance.
“We are concerned there needs to be a more transparent funding regime for the agricultural sector,” he said.
Paul said the BAS usually directed farmers requiring help to the ADF and the Ministry of Agriculture but their main concern was having a level playing field for farmers.
(CA)
