Submitted by Heather Cole
Heather Cole is asking for the public’s support to ensure the success of a food security project at the Todds Plantation.
Dear Prospective Investors and Members,
Although the conception of the People’s Agricultural and Business Co-op was done prior to COVID-19, we did not anticipate that our fears would have been realized months later when this global pandemic began to wreak havoc on the economy. COVID-19 has exposed the harsh reality that insufficient food is being grown on the island that Barbadians call home.
It has been said that Barbadians do not work together for economic gain. With this in mind, The People’s Agricultural and Business Co-operative Ltd. is seeking to become an agent of change in Barbados. It is providing an opportunity for ordinary Barbadians to economically come together through the formation of this co-op to grow food, produce by- products, engage in marine farming, grow agri- produce and engage in several other business activities…
Relevant Supporting Document:
“This is a huge undertaking that Heather is proposing. It it commendable that she can think that big. She will need knowledgable and dedicated people alongside her to make it work.”
these types of projects require baby steps, they come with lots of pitfalls and you learn something from every one of those falls, so knowledgeable members are imperative to success., those who have tripped and fallen numerous times before carry invaluable experience.
John 2
My comment was not directed at you.
In my book also there is not only personal financial gain at stake. If this attempt turns into a mess it will take years before we live it down and even more years before another attempt such as this is made. Many of you have already spoken of the misinformed Bajan idea that a first attempt and failure is to be ridiculed yet you do not see the implications not just of failure but of an abysmal failure on the collective psyche of Barbadians. I want us not just to be bold but also properly prepared to make a go of it. Even if we fail it must not be a total mess.
And if anyone wants to take issue with my opinion – TOO BAD!
DONNA.
For sure in will not be an instant success. but we are trying to get it started so that it can lead to success.
it cannot succeed or fail unless it is first started.
My investment is to give it a greater chance of succeeding
You know the old saying …. nothing beats a failure……..
The fact that it will be a co-op reduces the possibilities of it being a failure.
Note how many co-ops are in Barbados. not how many co-ops have failed in the last 50 yrs.
What will happen to the bajan psyche if a total success?
What will happen to the bajan psyche if ” ours” is a falure because we failed to support it but years from now another “group” is reaping the success?
Addendum
Maybe both projects for food for the body and food for the brain should be incorporated together
.. likewise the Bajan Co-op and Canadian Business plans can be incorporated together in partnership.
Canadians can provide funding and Bajans Staff and Labour, time and effort with both parties equal shareholders.
A solid foundation is the only way to start any build project.
When push comes to shove, we plant on our fields on Solid Ground. No one can move we. We are doing God’s work.
@Gopher
I knew you would bolt down the nearest rabbit hole. Let me rephrase my question as it is obvious that if there is a drought then the amount of water will be adequate.
If one took the Average annual rainfall for the island and perform the correct calculations would it show that the average Bajan would have a full year (adequate) supply of water?
Will be interesting if you can find a next ‘wabbit’ hole.
Let me rephrase my question as it is obvious that if there is a drought then the amount of water will be INadequate.
John 2,
Again I say we must be prepared to make a reasonable go of it. We can fail and still be fine. We cannot afford to fail spectacularly or that will be seized upon to pummel us. Our people are already fragile mentally.
Therefore my pause is not to get in the way of a valiant attempt but to consider the chances of abject failure and avoid it by thoughtful consideration, planning and clarity on what will be needed.
If you cannot understand that, too bad! I have not attempted to influence anyone else in their decision. I just reserve the right to make my own decision in my own time.
Here it is that we have Heather thanking people for the discussion and others who think no discussion is necessary.
Steupse!
And now I am done! Heather alone will know my decision.
Grasshopper
What is the average annual rainfall for Barbados?
No-one asked or expect you to put off you project or not to seek you info.
I …. alone asked you to “pledge” the minimum as support of the cause and support of a sister..
i think you can pledge the required minimum and still continue your project and research at the same time. no one ask you to mortgage you house or half you bank account to support the cause,
HC did not say tomorrow, neither did she say you have to invest your livelihood.
Baje is free to express his preference just like you expressed your to be cautious. No need to take it personal..
I very seldom agrre with anything baje says and was only pulling his legs. but if he put his money where is mouth is then more power to him . This is the one thing that i agree with him 1000%
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
YOU AND I NEVER AGREE BECAUSE UNLIKE YOU, I CHOOSE TO EXPOSE YOUR BLP SHENIGANS AND DISHONESTY.
I FIND IT TRULY AMAZING SOMEONE WHO BOASTS OF BEING AMONG THE TOP 10 RICHEST PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD HAVE TO THINK AND DECIDE WITH ALL KIND OF EXCUSES FOR $125 TO JOIN WHAT SEEMS TO BE WORTHY CAUSE TO ENFRANCHISE BLACKS ON THE ISLAND.
IN MY WORLD WE CALL THEM BULLSHITTERS.
PART OF THE LOCAL BAJAN CONDITION AS HAL WOULD SAY.
STEUPSE.
Estimates from Senn, 1946.
80% of rainfall ends up as evapotranspiration.
Plants take it up and transpire it to the atmosphere.
80% is thus not available to the BWA!!
10% runs off the land and is not available to the BWA.
10% percolates through the coral and gets into the underground aquifers.
This is available to BWA.
Rainfall can vary from 40 inches per year (drought year) to 60 inches per year.
Senn estimates about 44 million gallons per day is available in a drought year.
Population of 300K
In theory, each person should have about 140 gallons per day worst case.
Agriculture takes some which reduces what’s available to BWA.
Then there are anomalies depending on where you live.
The higher the elevation the harder to get water to you.
The lower the elevation the more you will consume because the pressure is higher at low elevations in the gravity fed system which we have.
60% of the available water is in the sheet water area under the St. George valley. low elevation.
Whatever! I’d rather be the bullshitter than the shit and that is what you are.
Just trying to help Grasshopper!!
Gopher,
I knew you had it in my you.
Our population has not grown that much. When I was growing up, I did not hear of these continuous water shortages.
Claims of being ‘water scarce’ might be the plaster to help cover other underlying issues. There must things we can do to distribute water more efficiently.
Happy burrowing, today.
There is a universal definition for what classifies a ‘water scarce country’.
Smokin’ That S*@%!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNxYQgGTwJ4
@ TheOGazerts
Badly kept secret: while we were keeping the tourist luxury liners supplied with water and bragging about how they will return in vast numbers to thank us , our citizens in the rural areas were enduring nothing but dry taps.
@ William
I have asked previously, but not answered: do the golf courses water their links? Also, what about swimming pools? Have top hotels ever experienced water shortages? What about Ilaro Court and Government House?
I have seen in my vision the rasta man Jah
I have seen in my vision the higher man
I have seen in my vision his majesty
(king of kings lord of lords)
In the green green pasture
I will meet my master
It was a wonderful time
such a wonderful time
he is humble like a lamb
yet he is a lion
he was planting seeds in the ground
I have seen in my vision the king of kings
I have seen in my vision the lord of lords
king of kings and lord of lords
conquering lion from the tribe of judah
(this foundation is in the holy mountains of Zion the lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob
glorious things have been spoken of the almighty city of Jah princes and princesses shall rise up out of Ethiopia
Ithiopians shall stretch forth their hands unto the most high Jah Ras Ta Fari Selassie I)
TheOGazertsAugust 26, 2020 6:26 AM
Gopher,
I knew you had it in my you.
Our population has not grown that much. When I was growing up, I did not hear of these continuous water shortages.
Claims of being ‘water scarce’ might be the plaster to help cover other underlying issues. There must things we can do to distribute water more efficiently.
Happy burrowing, today.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh Lord have mercy.
When you were growing up (me too) most people got their water from a standpipe.
Pit toilets were common.
Many bathed in the government supplied baths in the various villages.
I know of one in Vauxhall and one in South District both of which were sold by the GOB I presume as they now have houses on the sites.
They were built in the early 60’s.
Point is, demand for water was tiny!!
It is all in front of you and you cannot see!!
Construction is a dead end activity!!!
As more and more people became customers of BWA/WWD the demand for water increased.
It outstripped supply in the mid 90’s as forecast by the Water Resources Study of 1978.
GOB did not help any by allocating the 2 million gallon per day Porters Catchment to Golf!!!
We have monkeys running wild through Barbados, some are in the House of Assembly too …. and some are on BU!!
@ John at 8:47 and 8:51
I congratulate you on reminding commenters that the growth of demand for water resources has grown exponentially over the past 60 years at the industrial and domestic levels with the same rainfall pattern and quantum.
The GoB seem to ignore this factor as well when approving developments in the physical environment.
These are upward boundaries that we ignore at our peril.
Looks like I gave you a long hop. Now, I am wondering about the statistics you served to me.
Perhaps the ‘tourism’ industry is taking a very large amount of available water.
Gopher… Would you have stats for total local (household, schools …) Vs other (tourism,,….) consumption. It would also be good if we had stats for local water consumption over the years. Even in the face of the items you mentioned, I doubt local consumption would increase by a large margin.
I see Vinny is touching on the different types of consumption, but his statement is too general.
I’ll take the runs anyway they come!!
In the late 80’s I worked on a water consumption problem at a major hotel.
I found back then that long stay visitors consume twice what locals consume.
Since then, things may have changed.
Increase in water rates for one thing would make Hotels careful about their water consumption.
Lets say 500K long stay visitors per year, average length of stay one week.
On a given week day 10K visitors will consume twice what 10k locals would.
Since there are 300K locals, the increased consumption of hotels will be minor.
What went with the switch to golf was the conscious attempt to attract high end visitors.
High end villas were built with lush IRRIGATED grounds.
You see the problem!!
IRRIGATION!!!!
1956 – about 7 mgd
1961 – just over 10 mgd
1971 – 20 mgd
1986 – 30 mgd
BWA reached its maximum output in 1995/6 …. See Economic and Social Report!!
QUESTION – If all the water was extracted in 1996 we are now a quarter century on and many have not problems?
THREE ANSWERS
The BWA gain controlled loss through its leak detection programs
AND Water rates have risen
AND everybody is now on a meter!!
Construction is a dead end activity!!
Unless true desalination can occur.
@gopher
Great job.. 95/100
For the extra 5%, please provide a link relevant to our discussion
Barbados Water Resources Study 1978 – Public Library, Reference Section
Senn Report there too!!
https://www.facebook.com/gisbarbados/videos/788473865025390
So, water from the sheet water in the “Valley” will be pumped to Vineyard Reservoir from Grove’s St. Philip I presume, not St. George!!.
The pressure will be boosted and it will be moved over the cliff at Mount Pleasant up to the areas of higher elevations where it is in short supply.
This water is from three catchments, St. Philip North, St. Philip South and parts of Christ Church.
The design yield for Hampton Pumping Station is 12.5 million gallons per Day from these three catchment areas.
The design yield for Bowmanston which takes from the St. Philip North catchment alone is 1.7 million gallons per day.
These design yields exist to prevent more being taken from these areas than the rainfall can supply.
Here’s my prediction.
In wet years no sweat.
In dry years …. back to square one!!
But a whole lot of $$$ will be circulating and the GDP will rise … at least this year!!
In dry years, there will be upconing in the well at Grove and possibly Hampton.
To prevent destruction from salt water intrusion, output will be shut off just like what happens in the West Coast wells during dry seasons.
When and if both are shut down the whole of St. Philip and parts of Christ Church will be out of water.
Then, I suspect, all hell will let loose!!
There are no free meals.
What is available has been allocated!!
Need to augment the supply from the Scotland District which is largely untapped!!
….. or from the sea.
What you have stated is what I fear. Back to square one in a drought.
Barbadians are a funny people. First of all our BLM ministers and other propagandists start a hate campaign against white businessmen and now suddenly the same figures want to return to the plantation.
If they manage agriculture the same way they have managed the administration and finances since 1966, the yield per hectare will be no more than three potatoes. It would therefore be best to appoint the Williams brothers as supervisors on the plantation.
We can have all the land to plant food and all the water for irrigation, but we seem to be overlooking an important part of the equation, in the form of pollinators. When last have you seen a swarm of honeybees, or butterflies, or hummingbird, or ladybirds, or yellow breasts? Cow bees, black and brown, are now a very rare sight, Some farmers in the United States are now renting bees from beekeepers to pollinate certain crops.
I got cow bees at me.
I am told the brown ones are the young ones before they turn black.
Had to call in a bee remover to remove a hive of honey bees from their customary spot under the house.
Got some honey too, sweet sweet.
Have had bees there from the time I was a boy.
The hive got too prosperous and the bees decided to protect it and became dangerous.
Blocked off the entrance after they were moved but suspect if I remove the block they will return.
They just seem to know.
Bees are around, just out of sight.
Up to the time I stopped my hiking my group had been hit once.
After that we all kept our eyes open, figured out where the bees were and proceeded with caution.
Remember a big hive down the gully from Harrison’s Cave.
We got hit going up the sand hill in Belleplaine/Sand Pit.
When bees hit, grown men fly!!
But they only hit when the have something to protect and are disturbed.
Whoever cleans up Todds better keep an eye out for bees!!
Bees are around, just that Bajans aren’t!!
Last water comment…
Seems as if the politicians in Lebanon are very corrupt.
Heard something like this on the radio “Lebanon has mountains and plenty of water. There is no water shortages, but politicians turned off the taps and send around trucks that they own and make people pay for water delivery”.
Something similar goes on in some parts of Trinidad.
We need to get into own discussion of water availability/management/distribution. We need to make certain that our water problems are as great as they say they are. Don’t fall for the simple explanation or catch phrases.
Butterflies are taking over my garden this year. I have always had them but this year its like a beauty pageant. Getting me some neem today. Gotta go outside to check my plants right now for holes. Can hardly find a leaf without a hole.
I have always had bees pollinating my palm trees. I hear the humming and I look up and there they all are.
Ladybirds are rare but still visit me sometimes.
Saw one hummingbird in the last few years.
Seems like this land is blessed. Had only two monkey scouting visits in all the years. I spoke to them laughingly and asked them to leave some for me. They did. They did not bring back the whole troop and clean me out.
And my mangoes are sweet!
My son just told me the hummingbirds come early every morning to my hibiscus. I’ll look out for them tomorrow.
My most recent BWA bill tell me that i used 11 cubic meters in a 30 day period, that is about 97 gallons per day.
I think that my usage is too high.
COLIN HUDSON WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EXCITED ABOUT THESE IDEAS
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