Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, has called attention to pressing issues in the agricultural sector that emerged during this Christmas season, particularly the shortages in key fruits and vegetables.
While the sector demonstrated resilience in meeting many demands, Paul warned that these shortfalls underscored the need for strategic planning and better resource management to secure the nation’s food supply in the future.
Paul attributed the crop shortfalls to adverse weather conditions, which disrupted yields and impacted the availability of some holiday staples.
“Potatoes are one of the crops everyone looks forward to at Christmas, but our production this year was not as abundant as expected due to the weather. It’s unfortunate but the weather played a major role in limiting what was available,” he explained.
He added that while production was ongoing, some crops were delayed from reaching the market. He expressed optimism that these challenges would ease with more favourable conditions.
The shortages prompted Paul to stress the importance of better planning to prevent similar issues in the future.
“We’ve seen these shortfalls with certain crops this year and even earlier issues with chicken supplies, which were eventually resolved. It’s clear that we need a structured plan of action to address these recurring problems,” Paul said.
Reflecting on the poultry sector, he pointed out its significant turnaround as an example of what could be achieved with effective coordination.
“Despite concerns earlier this year, consumers experienced no difficulty acquiring poultry during the Christmas season. The sector met market demands and supermarket shelves remained well stocked,” he said.
Paul credited this success to collaborative efforts within the industry but cautioned against complacency.
The BAS head also highlighted a larger concern regarding Barbados’ agricultural future: the loss of farming land to non-agricultural use. He described the reduction in arable land as the most pressing issue threatening the country’s food security.
“We’re seeing increasing amounts of agricultural land going out of production, being repurposed for development. This is the biggest threat to our ability to maintain food security,” he warned.
He criticised the over-reliance on technology as a solution to agricultural challenges.
“There’s a fallacy that technology alone can solve all of our problems. Technology has its limits and suggesting otherwise gives a misleading impression. What we need is a serious review of our land-use policies to ensure that agriculture remains a priority,” he said.
In addressing the shortages of fruits and vegetables, Paul proposed strategies that included greater climate resilience, improved land management and forward planning. He stressed that these measures must be implemented proactively to avoid the repeat of such issues during next year’s Christmas season.
When asked about further interventions in the poultry sector, Paul dismissed the idea of extensive Government involvement. He argued that the sector, as part of the private industry, must take responsibility for its own organisation and management.
“Government can provide support, but it is incumbent upon the sector itself to ensure it meets not only its own objectives, but also the country’s objectives for a stable food supply. What we need is responsible management within the industry.”
Despite the challenges, Paul praised the resilience of Barbadian farmers and their ability to adapt to difficult circumstances. He noted that with better weather, production would likely pick up in the coming months, reducing the strain felt during the holiday season.
As Barbados moves into the new year, Paul called for greater investment in the agricultural sector, coupled with policies that prioritised food security. He reiterated the need to protect agricultural lands and to enhance the efficiency of local farming practices. (CLM)
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