Chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, is reassuring the public that tight security will be in place for Agrofest this weekend.
He was speaking to the media on Tuesday at the Spartan Pavilion in Queen’s Park, against the backdrop of recent violent activity and misconduct among students at schools and on buses.
Friday, the first day of the island’s largest agricultural exhibit, is dedicated for both public and private primary and secondary students.
Paul, in response to some schools’ concerns about their children’s safety, stressed that his team was more than prepared to facilitate them.
“I do not think that anybody needs to be concerned about the behaviour of schoolchildren at Agrofest. I think one of the issues we have today is that we are allowing isolated incidents, what I would call skirmishes, among schoolchildren to colour our view of what happens when children come together in a situation such as this.
“Over the years we have had only the best of behaviour from schoolchildren and never had incidents . . . . We do not tolerate smoking of any substances and we have enhanced security systems in place.”
The BAS boss added that Agrofest was a wholesome, safe and educational environment where children, who were interested in the agricultural sector, could gain a wealth of knowledge from the various exhibits.
Queen’s Park was a hive of activity as many workmen were preparing for the show this weekend. Men were spotted putting up tents and booths and placing posters on trees, as well as cleaning the park’s grounds.
One of the most anticipated events during the exhibit will be the livestock competition which will feature 130 sheep, 64 cows, 47 batches of rabbits, 40 goats, seven pigs, and a mother and young.
The Greenland Livestock Research Station and the Barbados 4-H Foundation will also be exhibiting animals.
Close to 50 farmers will be taking part in the livestock showing and more than 20 of them are young agriculturists. (SB)
