Agrofest 2024 participation expected to surpass 2023

As many as 250 exhibitors are expected for this year’s Agrofest, according to organisers who say plans for the island’s largest agriculture expo are progressing well.

During a site visit held at Queen’s Park, St Michael on Monday, logistics and operations coordinator Theodore Fraser told the media that so far, 230 exhibitors have registered to take part in the annual event.

He said he expected that number to increase to 250 which represented a 20 per cent increase over last year’s participation.

This year, a contingent from Suriname will be making a special appearance at the event and will have several interesting products on offer, while a Guyanese contingent will also be putting on another showcase.

Fraser added that in terms of the livestock competition, several young people were taking part and he was looking forward to those shows.

According to Fraser, preparations for the exhibition are at an advanced stage and within another week, tents, stalls and booths will start to go up.

This year, there will be a reggae session for patrons to enjoy featuring local artistes only such as Buggy Nhakente and Peach Bless.

Tight security measures will also be in place to ensure the farmers’ animals are well protected.

During Monday’s site visit, officials from The Barbados Police Service, Department of Emergency Management, Urgent Care, Barbados Fire Service and others discussed the logistics of the event.

Fraser said the entrance at Weymouth B would not be operable this year but he was hoping that would not be a finite development.

Agrofest resumed in January 2005 after an absence of over 30 years. The Barbados Agricultural Society, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, has now successfully staged this exhibition for the past 19 years, on the last weekend in February, at Queen’s Park in the city. In 2024, the exhibition will be held the weekend of Friday, February 23rd to Sunday, February 25th.

(SZB)