The 2008 Agricultural Digest - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural ...

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V. POLICY OR STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONSAn assessment of the agricultural policies that the Governmentof Barbados has implemented thus far, suggests that thesepolicies are comprehensive in their extent. However, this sectionpresents some additional policy options that should be consideredif the agriculture industry is to realise sustainable growth anddevelopment. These include:1. Youth Participation in Agriculture – In its attempt to increaseyouth participation in agriculture over the years, the Ministryof Agriculture has taken the narrow approach of developingprogrammes that are limited to training individuals in the useof newer technologies such as greenhouses and hydroponics.This author suggests that attempts should also be made toengage young persons who are conducting scientific research at theUniversity of the West Indies and the Barbados CommunityCollege to develop new technologies. Additionally, there is scopefor the development of higher yielding cultivars of food crops bylocal scientists that could advance the food security objectivesof the island. These initiatives could be attained if the Ministrydevelops partnerships with the local University and College,where a reward system could be implemented in an effort tomotivate young local scientists to focus on the developmentof the agriculture industry.even possibly the importance of back-yard farming. Regarding thelatter point, research could be undertaken by the Ministry to showthe positive impact of back-yard farming on household budgetsand nutrition, and the outputs of these studies disseminated to thepublic and especially the urban communities.3. Greater Collaboration between the Ministries ofAgriculture, Industry and Services – As stated earlier, Craigwellet al (2008) recommended that agriculture needed to form greaterlinkages with the other economic industries in order to promote itsown growth as well as national output. In this regard, this authorsuggests that a national committee could be establishedconsisting of stakeholders of the various economic industries,to assess possible backward and forward linkages with theagriculture industry. The committee would then be responsiblefor the development of a strategic plan that highlights theseformal linkages to be considered by the various Ministriesof Agriculture, Industry and those that are services-oriented.The committee may also be responsible for the developmentof policy papers highlighting areas for farmer-manufactureralliances, new product development and farmer-hotel partnerships,to mention a few examples.2. Promotion of Food Security at the Household level – Inorder for food security to be fully realised households musthave adequate access to nutritious food. To date, the Ministryof Agriculture has been developing policies directed at boostingagricultural production within the agricultural community only.The Ministry of Agriculture needs to develop policies directly aimedat the urban communities as well. It is therefore suggested thatthe Ministry should develop programmes to educate the urbancommunities about household food security, food nutrition and12Agricultural Digest | 2008Volume 1
VI. CONCLUSIONOver the past five decades, successive Government administrationsof Barbados have developed and implemented policies to inducestructural change in the country’s economy. These policy actionsresulted in the role of the local agriculture industry in theeconomic growth and development of the country beingdiminished over the 50-year period.This author contends that agriculture could play an integral role inthe current economic and developmental objectives of Barbados.Kuznets (1961) acknowledged the positive contributions of theagriculture industry to economic growth over the years in suchareas as product, market and factor development in the economy.Additionally, it has been argued that agriculture could makeimportant contributions in the growth and development ofdeveloping economies by: providing labour for other industries;capital formation; earning of foreign exchange; stimulatingindustrialisation; providing tax revenues; and improving thelivelihoods of the impoverished.It is noted however that although the policies that have beendeveloped to increase production thus far by the Ministryof Agriculture are comprehensive in their extent, additional policyactions could be considered in order to enhance the relevanceof the agriculture industry in Barbados. These policy actionsinclude: the broadening of the approach to youth participationin agriculture in the country in order to exploit the tacitknowledge of the local scientific community; the establishmentof formal linkages between agriculture and other economicindustries in Barbados to address the issue of rising imports;and the promotion of food security within urban communitiesthrough research and educational programmes.The aforementioned positive roles of agriculture are especiallysignificant as Barbados is currently challenged with two issuesthat could have serious macroeconomic implications for thecountry. These issues are rising global and domestic food prices,and increasing levels of food imports. While rising food pricesmay have an adverse effect on the most vulnerable personsin Barbados’ society, increased food imports leaves the countryexposed to international shocks and places a burden on thecountry’s international foreign reserves. Johnson (2007) indicatedthat increased agricultural productivity can result in lower foodprices, while Johnston and Mellor (1961) suggested that increasedproduction can reduce the dependency on foreign imports by increasingnational food supplies.Volume 1Agricultural Digest | 200813
Page 2 and 3: Minister’s Foreword 1Editorial No
Page 4 and 5: EDITORIAL NOTEThe Agricultural Dige
Page 6 and 7: FEATURED COLUMNISTRommell Hippolyte
Page 8 and 9: Johnson (1997) suggested that throu
Page 10: Using time series cointegration, it
Page 18 and 19: THE BARBADOSSUGAR INDUSTRYThe Barba
Page 20 and 21: FISHERIES SECTORFisheries recorded
Page 22 and 23: RAINFALL IN 2008Total rainfall in B
Page 24 and 25: STATISTICAL APPENDIXTable 1: Produc
Page 26 and 27: STATISTICAL APPENDIXTable 3: Averag
Page 28 and 29: STATISTICAL APPENDIXTable 5: Total

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