Barbados still on track, says Weir

Despite setbacks caused by climate change, Barbados remains on track to contribute meaningfully to CARICOM’s 25 by 25 initiative, aimed at reducing the region’s extra-regional food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir outlined Government’s strategic plans to bolster the agricultural sector during an interview with the Sunday Sun, emphasising the shift toward climate-smart agriculture and technological innovation.

“We’ve faced significant challenges from persistent rainfall and prolonged droughts,” Weir said.

“These conditions made planning and cultivation difficult. However, we’ve made strides in key areas, especially poultry production, and we are determined to keep pushing forward.”

A cornerstone of Government’s plan is strengthening support for small farmers through initiatives like the $2 million revolving fund, administered in collaboration with the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS). This fund provides farmers with access to loans, enabling them to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and technologies. Large-scale farmers are also being encouraged to adopt state-of-the-art climate-smart tunnels, which offer a controlled environment for yearround production.

“We are working with both small and large farmers to increase production using technology that minimises the impact of adverse weather conditions,” Weir explained.

The minister announced partnerships with companies from Canada and The Netherlands to introduce advanced agricultural technologies. These systems will be displayed at this year’s Agrofest in the Ministry of Agriculture’s tent through a virtual presentation, providing Barbadians with a glimpse into the future of farming.

“We are transitioning to growing systems that can produce crops like lettuces, strawberries, tomatoes, and sweet peppers efficiently, regardless of climatic challenges,” Weir said.

He also highlighted plans to assemble and deploy these systems by mid-year, coupled with training programmes to help farmers adapt to modern agricultural practices.

A local investor has already started

developing a technology-driven farm, which the minister pledged to support publicly at its launch.

Weir detailed several projects currently under way to help Barbados meet its 25 by 25 obligations. The onion project involves cultivating over 100 acres of onions under contractual agreements to ensure farmers have guaranteed markets for their produce. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the need for imported onions.

Technology

In addition, transitioning to technology-driven cultivation for leafy greens, cucumbers and sweet peppers will address import dependency and provide fresh produce more consistently. The recently approved tissue culture lab aims to accelerate crop production by providing highquality planting material.

“These are concrete steps that will help us lower the food import bill while ensuring sustainable agricultural growth,” Weir added.

The minister stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in communicating agricultural plans to the public. “It’s vital not to make promises that cannot be delivered. Projects like the onions initiative and the tissue culture lab are realities we can rely on,” he said.

Looking ahead, he hinted at other potential developments, including an agricultural census to enhance projections and planning. However, he was cautious about discussing initiatives that were not yet approved by Cabinet.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by the climate crisis, Weir remained optimistic about Barbados’ ability to meet its commitments.

“We may not achieve a 25 per cent reduction in every area, but we are targeting those aspects of the food import bill that we can control. Through innovation and determination, we are forging ahead,” he said. (CLM)

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