Colin Hudson used to have several graphs on display.

One I found revealing was the one which demonstraed the inverse relationship between Government support in agriculture and output of that sector.

The highest output the sugar industry achieved was 200,000 tons in 1957 and then again in 1967.

The indiators in the agricultural sector have been trending downward since then.

Output today is at a level, 30,000 tons, which existed at the time of emancipation, and yet we have technology and education levels never seen before in Barbados!!

I don’t believe any government since independence really wanted agriculture to succeed.

Don’t agree Scout. The BADMC is a government corporation and therefore the buck stops at the minister and government. Will we see the Chairman and or general manager of the BADMC disciplined? Don’t think so!

David
That is exactly what I’m saying, the problem is, I believe somebody near the top is getting a cutback for impoirting these onions.
J
Are you advocating that we allow the monkey population to expold and take over all the crops? Whether you call it stealing or not the monkey population has to be controlled. What would you call monkey just biting fruits and leaving them?

Our Agriculture theme needs to be:EXPORT OR DIE

It seems that the appointment of every Minister of Agriculture whether BLP or DLP the appointment is heralded as the ‘tipping point’ for his important ministry. For example Erskine Griffith was thought to be a person who would have used his experience in Geneva to push start agriculture. As they say, he came, he saw, he left.

Benn seems to have his heart in the right place but the stakeholders in the agricultural industry need to get on the same page. Again a flaw in our civil service given its unwieldy design to respond to change.

I agree with the analysis of Scout, we have put agriculture on the back burner for several years; there should be a change and we would then see the benefits of growing our own produce. We have a historical barrier to leap…but that should be possible.

There is nothing more disconcerting than to see “luxuriant bush” growing beside some properties in Barbados, with very little effort and enterprise that land could be put to productive use.

We must start early to change a “mind set” a Government initiative led by the schools is the way to go.

Across Europe and other places abroad professional people are out digging in their gardens or rented allotments at weekends or in the evening…they are no less “respectable” for so doing.

With regard to the theft of crops it is a “scourge” which should be punished not solely on the value of the items taken but also considering the lawlessnes and lack of respect for peoples property which such theft engenders.

On a larger picture we treat agriculture as just growing potatoes or planting canes. We have never sought to learn from those at the cutting edge of agriculture technology. There is no point talking about a lack of land, some small specialised enterprises could be started, giving employment to many in “niche” markets. We are often constrained by “we have never done it before.”

There is something that bothers me about the chemicals used especially the imported ones. Most of them carry a warning in bold print, FOR EXPORT ONLY. I would like the Min of agriculture to explain why EXPORT ONLY

@ Scout

This is not an ‘agriculture’ problem, it is a leadership problem.
Look at any important area of national life – you see the same thing….
INCOMPETENCE / No sense of responsibility / No consequences for foolish behavior – not even for ILLEGAL behaviors

You heard what senator Millington said?
THAT is our problem.

…as to when it will be solved? Soon!!! when things get so bad that the jokers who make excuses for incompetence, stealing, murder, ILLEGAL immigrants and other foolishness are too poor and hungry to protest more…

…of course by then it will be too late for ALL of us…. but as I always say, we always get exactly what we deserve.

With respect to agriculture, you must admit that we are GIANTS at moving the earth around to please though, been by St Davids recently?

…see how fast they can clear bush, move topsoil, cut road track, and so on?

One would think that we have endless land available to us and our descendants…..

@ John
There is no need to import any special planters to address this problem (they will be frustrated in short order). What would work is a strong, single minded and honest leadership with the guts and staying power to step on some heads – lodge or not….

@Bush Tea

We are watching closely but the current government seems to be operating under the guise of finding houses for people as a workaround to cut up some of our most fertile land. Staple Grove Plantation in St. Davids is a case in point.

Our leaders are incapable of doing anything creative.

What is their track record?

How many have any experience running a business?

How many have a clue as to how to look at large tracks of land marshall resources and make them work?

This is the flaw in parliament today.

The model of educated technocrats advising ignorant politicians has cost us dearly.

This is because technical support staff advice can be poo pooed when inconvenient and can be doctored to suit.

It is strategic thinking which is missing from the heads of those in authority, and this flows from a close understanding of how the natural processes of our country work.

This is the difference pre and post independence.

Pre independence parliamentarians invariably had a strong connection to the land and the people who worked it.

These guys and gals today have not got a clue.

We may claim to have come far … and we have, but what was the point if the natural processes that support us potentially render our existence unsustainable?

@ GP
.. my name has been erased from their ‘book of life’ for years now…. But surely you know that ‘who BBE bless no man can curse…’

@ David
I see that too…. and if you were to investigate closely, you will also discover the ‘cartel’ behind the whole charade…. They make their millions from this scam no matter who is in Government; no matter if the project comes off or not; no matter if it is profitable or not; and no matter the damage to this small country.

…from Paradise Beach;to below St Lucy’s church; and along many of the beach fronts that represents the REAL tourism assets of this country, these rapists have been raking it in -while we have been watching our goose being choked….

JC darling

I have to postone the wedding cause I aint got de money fuh we to buy a piece o land chile, and none o de BU famlee cant help we out! Sob sob, Boo Hoo

Did 5 hours on the land today, form 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.and it feels good.

I am glad that I was able to refuse a recent offer to permit a commercial building on land in zone 1.

Our family has been receiving offers from people who are sure that they will get permission to convert from the time I was at school (1960’s) , including one time an offer on behalf of an American client, whose lawyer was a long time eminent parliamentarian, QC, and a Sir, you all know the type. My dad said no to him in 1969, I am glad to say no in 2009.

Some of us behave as though we will get into trouble if we say no to politicians, lawyers etc.

The truth is if we say no, nothing bad happens. We have to stop giving people permission to rape our land and then pretending that we are victims.

David, it is going to be very interesting to see what happens to the three applications to develop 136 acres of prime agricultural lands at Staple Grove.

The records of the corporate registry indicate that Staple Grove is owned by P.D.F. Inc. with directors being Peter Defreits and Cheyub Investments Ltd. What’s interesting is a note in the financials regarding a “Development Cost” The note says “This consists mainly of professional fees incurred in planning of a 500 unit low income housing development on lands at Staple Grove. Town Planning Permission was refused and the project was abandoned”.

Now it seems there are new applications that aim to provide “Housing Solutions” on the agricultural land at Staple Grove. New government, new applications.

Better connected?

Yardbroom

You said let us start with the schools.

Most persons would believe that would be the road to go. Most of the students who take Agricultural Science do it make up the six or seven subjects to get into Community College to study another area although Community College has an Associate Degree in Agriculture.

There is no support at the secondary school level for agriculture. Most of the students refuse to choose it as a subject and the ones who are perceived to be slow learners are forced into taking it as a subject.

I saw on the news Harrison College receiving a large modern green house. The head of department for science said it would be used for Biological research. This school would never teach Agricultural Science because that is where the brightest goes.

A green house like that should have been presented to Grantley Adams School, which has a very good Agricultural Science program.

The young boys and girls there would be involved in using modern technology in the production of crops. You can just go and look at shade house technology at work at Strong Hope in St. Thomas.

Once when people used to work the land there was little talk of agriculture science.
People worked the land out of necessity and fell in love with it.
Some educated fool then decided that it was a science, created a certificate, set an exam and the rest is history.
Why would a student “waste his time” trying to gain a certificate in Agricultural Science when he has been programmed to believe that Physic, Chemistry and Biology are more important to his quest for financial success.

The problem in agriculture is simple, too many people with no love for the land, studying science, getting degrees, running the Ministry and do not know elephant grass from bamboo.

Poor Great
I understand your frustrations with all of those Doctors at the MOA but you cannot segregate agriculture from science.

Take a tour of the shade houses at Strong Hope and see a white Barbadian using scientific methods to produce all the sweet peppers that Barbadians can consume without many pests and disease problems.

This project operates with a computerized system where fertilizers are delivered to each house specifically for the crop that is growing. The houses are located on soil but the plants grow in a soilless medium. That is science at work.

Let the persons who study physics, biology and chemistry become medical doctors and cannot get food to eat.

Food security must be our buzzword. Produce or perish.

For a moment there I thought that the Staple Grove application had been approved. I hope the meeting with the residents of the area wasn’t a show to pull the wool over the public eyes so the powers that be can claim that the people were consulted. I mean they weren’t even given the names of the beneficial owners.

If you think traffic is horrendous in the BET/Wildey triangle wait and see what it will be like if the development goes on stream and people move in.

Not sure what all the earth moving is all about in St. Davids but doesn’t the People’s Cathedral have permission to build a church in the area? If a church is being built it will require parking etc.

Report today on the issue at Mullins.

Now we clearly the problem with rife overdevelopment along the coast.

This ‘process’ creates problems with erosion, by interfering with natural tides.

Not to mention, that persons overbuild on the coast, then complain when their properties are threatended by sea erosion.

The wise man does not build on sand, nor in too close proximity.

Why do people disregard the old houses on the seaside were chattel type?

Why do they disregard that the land was not previously valuable?

When a large structure is build right on the coast, the owner must have adequate maintenance monies set aside, for expected repairs, rather than go screaming to Government for help after the fact.

The complaint is about the goins built on another project, well maybe those groins will not last beyond one hurricane either.

This is a clear example of overbuilding and the players all around, being burnt by irresponsible actions by developers.

They took away our ‘windows to the sea’.

It is only a matter of time before we have them back.

Peace

When BU was shouting West Coast rape where was the nation?

Now BU is shouting Inland Rape of our most fertile land being sacrificed for concrete.

I think it is time that we make lots of noise about these developments. I was taking a drive up Yorkshire and slowly but surely I realise that a few houses are being built just now we will eat the blaste concrete!!!

This is not good enough!

___________________________

Georgie Porgie // May 30, 2009 at 4:42 pm

JC darling

I have to postone the wedding cause I aint got de money fuh we to buy a piece o land chile, and none o de BU famlee cant help we out! Sob sob, Boo Hoo
_________________________-

@ GP

Dont worry boo I am young and am willing to work for both of us!!!

Sooooo dont worry you still CAN AND MUST marry me!

Can’t wait to be Mrs. Georgie Porgie …. smooches!

Fairplay

I bet the people at Strong Hope love what they do.
How many of the people presently responsible for developing Agriculture have that same love?

I accept that we cannot separate Agriculture from science and should therefore not segregate it, but I believe we should get the children interested in the practical applications of the science first and then teach the theory to those that desire it.

The positioning of Agricultural Science, next to Physics, Chemistry and Biology, guarantees its rejection by the brightest students, who do not see a clear career option at the end and the others, who generally ignore the sciences, will avoid it.

The powers that be should impress upon the student population the importance of Agriculture to the country, even if they believe otherwise, by granting extra credits to students who study Agricultural Science and promoting the numerous employment options available.

Adequate support would then have to be given to the industry, but everyone knows this already.

Are they willing?

At the time when Barbados produced its peak output in sugar I reckon from looking at aerial photos of the day that small holders probably produced 40% of that output because smallholders controlled about 40% of the land area.

All through Bank Hall there were canes in the small lots just as in much of St. James and St. Peter there were canes to the sea!!

Bank Hall plantation had been sold out to housing years before but in lot sizes that permitted agriculture.

Canes grew at Bath where many of the seaside houses are located now and Atlantic Shores and South Point was populated by numerous smallholders also producing cane.

There were canes in the Sand Pit area of St. Andrew, close to the sea.

Much of St. Philip was conrolled by smallholders and in St. Thomas the Spring Farm area was also thus controlled.

These photos from 1951 show the situation in agriculture before the heavy development of the 60’s and onwards.

I think they indicate that most people were deeply involved in agriculture in some way or another.

The smallholders have to a large extent departed from agriculture and their lands are now houses, hotels, appartments and condos.

The larger plantations were and are being picked off one by one.

We are nearing the end of a long road of “development” and are beginning to realise that there is actually an end in sight!!

What next when all the land is all sold or committed to paying bills?

… or has been converted to its “highest economic value”?

What’s the plan?

In the future the plan will be to produce water by desalination and reverse osmosis.
The Belle pumping station will be converted to a desalination plant and water pumped from Spring Garden.
The process to upgrade the BWA should commence in July and any additional funds needed to complete this project will be sourced from the Land Bank:-)

Water is not a problem, they are ways of produceing water easily, there is a household device that taps the water in the air and makes drinking water from it.

Here is a link.

http://cleantechnica.com/2008/11/05/how-to-make-water-from-thin-air/

Also i guessing lots of people don’t know about this but i have been running a small engine on salt water yes SALT WATER, for about 3 weeks now, the next step it to put this on my car. It is called HHO gas (check it out on youtube) its every where.

Through electrolysis it is possible to cut your gas bill in half and these work on any car.