More focus on local cuisine, farmer support for Agrofest 2025

Agrofest 2025 has officially been launched, with stakeholders promising an expanded and more engaging showcase next year, centred on the theme, Saving the Future through Agriculture. It will highlight greater inclusion of authentic Bajan cuisine and enhanced support for farmers.

Speaking at the launch of the national agricultural exhibition on Friday, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul reflected on the success of this year’s event and expressed excitement for the 2025 edition. One highlight will be the expansion of the popular Sunday morning breakfast event.

“We are going to have an enhanced experience. We’re partnering with critical stakeholders to promote our local Barbadian cuisine,” Paul shared.

“I don’t believe we take enough pride in our culinary traditions. There’s room for competition in how we prepare our foods, and Sunday morning will be an exciting opportunity for Barbadians to come and savour their local cuisine.”

Paul added that more focus will be placed on supporting farmers during next year’s showcase.

“We want to actually increase what we do for our farmers at the show…. We want to improve what we give to them so that they are even more highlighted than they were in the past,” he said.

The BAS CEO said stakeholders are committed to leveraging the festival’s growing popularity to draw more attention to the agriculture sector.

In anticipation of increased interest in Agrofest, he said tickets for next year’s event would be available earlier than usual.

“While we faced some challenges this year, we believe next year’s plans will attract even more attendees. Traditionally, tickets were released in February, but this year we’re doing something new and making them available from December,” Paul announced. “From the 1st of December or before, we are going to have our tickets out.”