Govt embraces digital, protective farming in food security drive

Barbados is charting a new course in agriculture by integrating cutting-edge digital tools and protective farming techniques to bolster food security, enhance resilience to climate change, and modernise its farming practices. 

A collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has set the stage for a dual-pronged strategy to modernise farming practices, increase productivity, and fortify farming against climate-related challenges.  

The ministry, in partnership with the FAO, launched a six-month project to integrate precision agriculture and digital crop management tools into Barbados’ farming systems. 

The initiatives were unveiled Monday at a workshop hosted by the ministry’s Graeme Hall headquarters.

Senior Agricultural Officer Bret Taylor highlighted the potential of digitalisation to address the sector’s challenges: “Digitalisation holds immense promise, and this workshop is a critical step in that direction.”  

FAO Representative Juan Cheaz Pelaez underscored the project’s importance, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Barbados, where climate vulnerabilities demand innovative solutions. He explained that digital tools could optimise resource use, reduce costs, and improve market access.  

Building on previous FAO efforts, the project employs advanced technologies, including drones for aerial surveys, crop monitoring, and multispectral imaging, alongside soil scanners for high-accuracy data. Eighteen professionals have been trained in drone operation and data analysis, laying a foundation for the initiative’s success.  

The project also features model farms demonstrating the practical benefits of digital agriculture. These farms will showcase how “good agricultural practices paired with digital applications lead to measurable improvements in productivity and sustainability,” Pelaez noted.  

Senior Agricultural Officer Bret Taylor.

In parallel, the agriculture ministry is championing protective agriculture to mitigate climate-related risks and ensure consistent food production. Protective farming techniques—such as greenhouses, shade houses, and insect-proof netting—create controlled environments to safeguard crops from erratic weather and pests.  

Taylor outlined the urgency of this shift: “Heavy rains and climate change are disrupting production cycles. Protective agriculture allows us to enhance production by creating controlled environments.”  

High-value crops like tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and herbs are being prioritised under this system. But Taylor cautioned farmers about the importance of preparation and investment: “If you start bad, you will end bad. Clean planting material and proper setup are critical to success.”  

Adopting protective structures also requires farmers to adjust their techniques, such as incorporating trellising and using specialised seeds suited for controlled environments. Workshops aim to equip farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate these changes successfully.  

Both initiatives place significant emphasis on training and capacity building, ensuring farmers, extension workers, and value chain actors are equipped to adopt these innovative systems. “Transformation happens when all actors are actively engaged,” Pelaez stressed.  

Collaboration is a cornerstone of these efforts, with the FAO working closely with the ministry and other stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation. 

“Success will require close coordination among government agencies and ourselves,” the FAO official added.  

While these projects are initially focused on specific systems and crops, the long-term vision extends to scaling solutions across Barbadian agriculture. Pelaez noted that these efforts must remain environmentally sustainable and economically viable, adding: “This is about empowering farmers with tools, knowledge, and support to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.”  

The workshop also emphasises capacity building, with training sessions designed to equip farmers, extension workers, and value chain actors with the skills to adopt these digital tools.

“Equipping farmers with cutting-edge technologies, tools, and knowledge to optimise their practices and reduce environmental impact is at the heart of this initiative,” said Pelaez. “Transformation happens when all actors, from farmers to extension workers to business leaders, are actively engaged.”

The project is rooted in collaboration, with the FAO working closely with the ministry and other stakeholders to ensure its seamless implementation. 

(RG)