AgricultureLocal NewsNews Agriculture Minister: There is no food shortage by Barbados Today 10/05/2020 written by Barbados Today Updated by Desmond Brown 10/05/2020 1 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 383 Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir, has sought to reassure Barbadians that there is enough food to supply the island during the COVID-19 crisis. Weir revealed that there was surplus of some agricultural commodities on the island, and said there was no need panic. He was speaking following a tour of the BARVEN Outdoor Marketplace on the Mighty Grynner Highway. “We have produce in the poultry industry that we have excess supply of because the hotels are closed…, fast food restaurants are closed. “I can only urge Barbadians to take advantage of the opportunities that would arise because I [recently] saw a reduction in pork prices when persons buy a certain minimum amount, and that initiative is indeed a good one and one that I support, but this is part of the push and pull for demand and supply. There is no need to panic,” Minister Weir said. Pointing to the additional 750 acres of land which is to be brought under cultivation, the Agriculture Minister said they had already started the planting of crops, such as tomatoes, lettuce and cabbage, which mature within four to six weeks. “We’ve started that process, and we will continue to monitor it and continue the weekly reports that are required,” Weir noted. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians He also spoke to the drought concerns raised by farmers, stating that steps were being taken to ensure that farmers at Spring Hall, St Lucy, and River, St Philip, had access to a consistent supply of water, thereby aiding their efforts to keep up with the demand for fresh produce during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Wills and St Paul’s Primary students top 11-Plus exam 16/06/2025 DLP supports wiretaps, lie tests, but with strict court oversight 16/06/2025 Vonda Pile can no longer practise law in Barbados 16/06/2025