#BTColumn – More to agricultural security than breaking of soil

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

After some 15 years, there has been a groundbreaking ceremony at Dukes Plantation for the establishment of the Agricultural Research Park.
For there to be any significant maximization of food security for the Republic of Barbados, the government must make a determined effort and put a number of things in place. Acres of land and Chinese money alone will not cut it. Neither will research and development stop marauding monkeys and praedial larcenists from destroying the livelihood of farmers.

Animal rights activists who lobby on both sides of the field must be told in no uncertain terms that they cannot stand in the way of farmers and others working to achieve food security.

On one side of the field, these activists lobby on behalf of the destructive monkeys, while on the other side, lobby against the slaughtering of animals for food.

Among other initiatives that must be part of any food security initiatives is the preserving, packaging and storing of agricultural produce, especially what is likely to spoil easily.

Government should be cautious in pursuing joint ventures with other CARICOM countries. It makes good sense to be your own housekeeper in matters such as food security and food sovereignty.

Thomas Sankara, former President of Burkina Faso (Republic of Upper Volta 1958-1984), advised in a most pragmatic way: “He who feeds you, controls you.” We have only just begun and there’s lots of work to be done.

MICHAEL RAY