Agriculture Minister Indar Weir is encouraging farmers to take advantage of a 2 million dollar revolving fund that is being facilitated through the Barbados Agricultural Society.
He says the new funding comes at a time when the sector grew by some 24% over the past year, compared to declines experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Weir made the comments as Agrofest 2024 officially got underway this morning at Queen’s Park in the City.
He adds they are urging farmers to place an emphasis on resilience and efficiency with the funding.
Meanwhile, the news has been welcomed by President of the Barbados Agricultural Society Henderson Williams, who says livestock farmers should benefit significantly.
Commenting on this year’s Agrofest, the BAS President says officials have seen the need to diversify the offerings for patrons, and to widen the assortment of exhibits.
But the emphasis was not only on local agricultural production during the launch – for the first time delegations from Brazil and Cuba are taking part.
His Excellency Expedito Netto, the National Secretary of Industrial, Amateur and Sports Fishing and Advisor to President Lula of Brazil believes the relationship will be mutually beneficial.
As for the hive of activity at Agrofest, despite the two-day term break for the island’s schools, the exhibition still attracted a large number of school children during the day, with pre-schoolers and primary school-aged children accounting for the majority.
As usual, many interacted with the numerous animals at the event, and they also increased their knowledge about the island’s agricultural sector at the wide variety of private and public sector booths.
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