One of Barbados’ leading private land owners is on a mission, with foreign help, to make a major dent in the country’s near $900 million annual food import bill.
At the same time, construction magnate Sir Charles Williams is about to launch a multi-million dollar agricultural project, starting with 100 acres of arable land in St Philip that will also produce vegetables for cruise ships servicing the island as well as for export to extra-regional markets, including Britain.
Sir Charles made the disclosure, even as he chided Government and public servants for not doing enough to facilitate entrepreneurs and investors who are keen on initiating projects that would help the country escape from the current protracted recession.
“I was delighted to hear what Dr Kenny Anthony said. He was just brilliant! At last a leader in the Caribbean has had the [guts] to tell the populace the truth that they are going to have to endure some pain.
“They just cannot continue to fool the people into believing that there is no hardship ahead . . . . We need more of this . . . . It is the same case with Barbados – it definitely applies to Barbados – and for sure I admire the ministers in Barbados who are getting things done.
“I can single out [Minister of Agriculture] Dr David Estwick . . . . Look at what he is doing with the Barbados Water Authority . . . . Dennis Kellman, a man of action, is getting things done!
“It is time that the others take the chain off initiatives and encourage the civil servants to understand their role as facilitators and do what they must to get this country firing again,” Sir Charles said.
