The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) has recommended a ban on the importation of certain produce which could reduce the island’s $700 million food import bill by at least $2 million.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Paul told a press conference at the BAS’ headquarters on Friday that farmers had the capacity to satisfy local demand for pumpkins, watermelons, cucumbers, and carrots, and the importation of those fruits and vegetables was undermining the industry.
“We need to have a situation where imports are better regulated in this country . . . . I believe those imports should be banned whether or not they are coming from CARICOM [the Caribbean Community]. Barbadian farmers possess the capability to produce those products and at very competitive prices,” he contended.
Paul added that it made no sense to ask farmers to ramp up production to boost the country’s food security when imports were still saturating the local market and forcing farmers to sell their products way below market price.
That, he said, was a demonstration of disrespect to farmers who toiled to support their families and provide nutritious food for Barbadians.
Paul told reporters that one or two containers of bananas had recently been imported, significantly impacting the island’s four major producers.
He said banana farmers here were producing about 3 000 boxes of the fruit weekly and had expressed interest in increasing production, but were concerned they would not have a market for the additional produce.
The BAS boss further called for greater collaboration between stakeholders in the agricultural sector and the Ministry of Commerce which is responsible for issuing import licences.
“There needs to be a working relationship between our producers and buyers,” he added. “We have seen an attempt by the Ministry of Agriculture to contact us when there is a request for sale and importation of certain commodities but I would like to see that across the board in respect of all commodities that we produce in Barbados, [so] that we don’t have a situation where import licences are granted without consultation [with] the farmers’ representatives, in terms of what is on the ground.”
One of Paul’s other recommendations was for national planting coordination so authorities could have an idea of what crops were being produced and how much of those crops were planted.
During the press conference, the BAS CEO also complained about a lack of proper investment in the sector by successive governments.
He said that over the years, his organisation had been making an impact in its efforts to lobby for farmers and hoped they could realise some more victories.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
