Russia’s war in Ukraine will disrupt commerce and clog up supply chains, slashing economic growth and pushing prices sharply higher around the globe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned Thursday….the 38-country OECD said that over the next year, the conflict would reduce gross domestic product (GDP) — the broadest measure of economic output — by 1.08 percent worldwide, by 1.4 percent in the 19 European countries that share the euro currency and by 0.88 percent in the United States.
OECD warns Ukraine war to push prices even higher.
The ongoing war in Ukraine obviously has implications for global trade and supply chains, consequently there has been growing attention to the issue of food and nutrition security. This comes on the back of the ongoing pandemic that has already disrupted the global supply with increase demand for certain products exposing challenges in production and distribution. With global challenges predicted to continue the obvious question for curious minds is to examine the Mia Mottley government’s agriculture mitigation measures under Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir.
The goal of the F.E.E.D programme is to involve more young people in agriculture by training them and providing them with land and infrastructure after training by initially targeting was 1200 farmers. The government is also reportedly spending millions of dollars in St. Phillip and St.Lucy. The water harvesting project at River in St. Phillip is almost complete.
See relevant link:
https://www.facebook.com/100057813352043/posts/398749615395480/
There is also the Hope Training Initiative in St Lucy, funded by the Chinese Government.
See related link:
https://barbadostoday.bb/2022/03/05/major-agriculture-projects-in-the-works-ministry/
However the agriculture project which captures the imagination of the blogmaster is the initiative at the Lears Land Lease project. It is a partnership between government and C.O Williams with the plan to allocate land between 5000 sq ft and 2 acres to 150 F.E.E.D programme participants. A component of the project is that it plans construction of a food terminal in partnership with Guyana and Suriname which should see Barbados becoming a southern Caribbean hub for the distribution of food throughout the region. Barbados hopes to benefit from competitive prices for food products which are not produced in Barbados. Also there is another upside- products produced in excess like onions local farmers will have access to a facility to export to the rest of Caricom to ease any glut.
See relevant link:
https://youtu.be/8Y9ru2au2jM
Another initiative is the Blackbelly Sheep project which seeks to increase local blackbelly sheep population from 10,000 to 1 million in 5 years. This is being led by local black belly sheep expert Dr. Leroy McClean. The project is expected to utilize land space in Guyana for sheep farming and hopefully significant reduce lamb imports into Caricom.
See relevant link:
https://youtu.be/yyxw0vrXAjs
These initiatives have resulted from the St.Barnabas Accords which is an agreement signed by Barbados, Guyana and Suriname on cooperation across several sectors. This partnership with Guyana – described for years as the bread basket of the region – is long overdue and was a part of the vision of the late Owen Arthur who all agree was a big proponent of the CSME, a component of CARICOM.
The blogmaster is about recognizing results, in this case the measure must be a spike in agriculture output by moving the GDP needle. However some marks must be given to the Mottley administration for the ongoing initiatives mentioned. For sure volatility in the global production and distribution commodities market demands the urgency of now by leaders for the region to cooperate and find ways to feed its people. Globalization as we knew it seems to be under threat- a new global order is emerging and countries are rethinking alliances and leaning more to smaller trading blocks. The St. Barnabas Accord along with others to be born maybe the way forward to circumvent more bureaucratic regional arrangements.
@David
There are 28 instances of the use of the apostle Barnabas in the book of the Acts of the Apostles to Galatians & Colossians…
If the “Barnabas Doctrine” can be adhered to amongst these countries in order for the less off to be fed during a time of serious uncertainty – then well done!!!
@TB
A bit of a stretch in interpretation but the blogmaster will given credit to things unknown if it comes to pass…LOL.
A region that is demonstrably lukewarm to CSME in good times and unable to provide 100 percent Caricom support for the incumbent Commonwearth Secretary Generall amid the machinations of those who control western media, is unlikely to withstand the duplicitous conduct of multinational corporations. A former party leader in Barbados writing in his regular column in the daily newspaper wrote at the time that an $800 million dollar imported food bill for Barbados was no big deal. That is the mindset that dooms us all. I agree with the blogmaster that the only worthwhile outcome is a significant increase in agricultural output and by extension in trade in said commodities in Caricom. I am also aware of the history of importation and related lingerie in the region. But I am sure the present administration is determined to prevent any malfeasance in this regard. Also what about farmers’ insurance?
Today’s economists and their talking heads like to advance the view that if it is cheaper to import it why bother.
Labelling
Food prices hike up 50% – as gas, electricity, water & a sleuth of basics spiral out of control… Who plans for this???
You know things are BAD when Chinese are out of control when it comes to panic buying & social unrest over food, medicines etc
The globalist’s shock doctrine of paying farmers not to grow food although the land is available…
We should not forget GMO foods. Are we happy to go with the flow?
@David
What happens when the price of “IMPORTED FOOD” is too costly to buy?
What happens when the food producers begin to hoard & refuse to sell?
Is it not time for “Regenerative Farming”?
Turn the “Idle Land” into “PERMACULTURE”…
I remember when almost every home in Barbados had a breadfruit tree and/or an avocado (Pear) Ackee, Golden Apple, Dounce, Sugar Apple etc (should I go on)?
@TB
We have a group of learned people and scholars who give little weight to contingency planning. An interesting approach given our open economies are most vulnerable to exogenous shocks to borrow from Vincent’s world.
@David
Our great/grandparents raised animals (using their manure) to feed their crops…
They kept “Heritage Seeds” from every crop – what we call today “Heirloom Seeds”…
GMOs were allowed to thrive due to “IGNORANCE” & “GREED” given no kickback by local farmers…
The science around “GENETICALLY MODS” is still inconclusive as to how it affects our physiological health…
@ David
“Today’s economists and their talking heads like to advance the view…”
“We have a group of learned people and scholars who give little weight to contingency planning.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
You are such a gallows bait…. LOL
YEARS now that Bushie challenge you to explain what the hell an ‘economist’ was – besides some mediocre joker who was unable to master some meaningful discipline.
We have allowed this class of jokers – championed by Bushie’s personal friend Owen SA , to destroy ANY change we had of common sense development by defining success as ‘money’…. some fiat shiite invented by albino centrics.
Bequeathing us a long list of sad jokers like Persuad, Mascoll, Stinkliar et al…
Had Henry Ford done his CIVIC DUTY, instead of going after accumulating more wealth and easy living from his (typical Bajan) law practice, this COULD have been a different place altogether.
As it is now, our donkeys are headed for grass…. with plimplers!!!
@Bush Tea
In your opinion we should disregard lawyers and economists? The issue is not the profession or discipline, it is how we integrate and manage different groups in society to achieve optimum.
…and BTW
It is too LATE now to develop agricultural responses to the looming crises….
About 20 years too late to be exact.
@Bush Tea
The blogmaster will NEVER subscribe to any view that shouts ‘too late’.
So…success is NOT money again??????????
The blogmaster will NEVER subscribe to any view that shouts ‘too late’.
~~~~~~~~~~
LOL
Your subscription is not required for authentification.
…and it is not to ‘disregard lawyers and economists’ they DO have a role, like everyone else in society.
But NOT in leadership!!
Leadership should be RESERVED for the crème de la crème of society. This is a BASIC rule of survivability and CERTAINLY of positive social development.
Of course it is our ‘democratic’ right to give the steering wheel to Owen, Froon, Stinkler, and Auntie, but having made our bed….
Boss, ANY people who find themselves following an ‘fool’ should know where they are headed – and particularly in a crisis. A fool here is just someone who does not possess the WISDOM to achieve success in a chaotic world of 2022+. ie 99.9% (according to an old poll)
Why do you think it is better to live in a desert….. ? LOL
@Bush Tea
You are suggesting that because an individual makes a decision to pursue legal or training in economics immediately disqualifies them from being a leader?
Bushie is saying that only the crème de la crème of ANY society has ANY chance of success in this complex world of chaos.
Any idiot can pass these joke courses, so we need a higher standard to establish competence in leadership.
Barrow and Tom were excellent leaders for their times for example, and Bushie would have expected Ford to maintain a similar standard of COMMON SENSE leadership. Bushie even hoped that Thompson would step up….
But shiite man, have you you seen the JAs currently walking bout spending clients funds?
steupsss…
@Bush Tea
Let us bring it home. How do we (ordinary people) identify these leaders?
@Bush Tea
Dr. Ali is obviously not a lawyer or economist?
——————
Prosperity to be shared, says Guyana’s president
https://www.nationnews.com/2022/04/04/prosperity-shared-says-guyanas-president/
Exactly BT why on earth if you are really intent on helping the food supply put it in the hands of amateurs. let the pros run it and once you have a handle on it then let the newbies have a shot.. Kind of reminds me of st patricks day , drinkers like myself usually stay home because its amateur night where the wanna bees come out get too drunk throw up everywhere and cause the bars to lose money .Most things are best left to the pros.
How do we (ordinary people) identify these leaders?
~~~~~~~~
Easiest of all questions to answer.
Look at how they have ‘succeeded’ in the past…
If you can’t run a community group or a church choir… How the Hell you wanna run a country…?
If a fella can’t solve the problem of feeding himself and his family, You think that paying him a government salary (to solve that problem) is LIKELY to suggest that he can now feed a whole country??… no particular person in mind LOL
If a fella can’t pass the damn 11+, you going appoint him to be on radio every damn week with his convoluted shiite? promoting sodomy?
If a professor could ‘for Cup’ Four Seasons… You REALLY think he could get BERT to work?
Who in their right mind thought that Parris could run CLICO successfully? Not stinking Bushie…
…oh wait … Wunna dat lost money thought so…!!! LOL
steupsss…. What a place!!!
@Bush Tea
You are missing the subtlety in the question. You have your measure understood and grooved to your way of thinking and doing your civic duty. What about the vast majority of people who go with the flow? How do we intervene to disrupt their approach to things?
“How do we intervene to disrupt their approach to things?”
We chase their backsides out of the plantation House. The Four season’s duo, Mia and her appachi Indian sidekick do not merit such a high status.
The UK journalist wrote an article on this tag team and their involvement in the Four Season’s project. It has been removed from the electronic archives. It simply cut too close to the bone.
I am of the firm belief that Barbados would prosper if the parishes became autonomous regions. The system of having a centralised government has been an unmitigated disaster for Barbadians
It is a waste of time calling you a liar. The honorable thing would be to ask for assistance locating the article. You therefore are no better than those you seek to criticize.
TLSN…just saw an article in barbadostoday written by Paula Sealy…..they have no shame, they are all embarrassments…it’s ridiculous…but what awaits thems will tell the tale…if the people cannot see that they are in REAL TROUBLE….with this gang of selfish do nothings, incompetents whose only claim to fame is looking for NEW SLAVE MASTERS……..they should suffer the consequences..up the creek does not begin to describe…i will watch the show from the sidelines..
i took out the best parts…
“by Paula Sealy
Nurses could not get paid for years. They went on strike and their pay was docked. Teachers still have difficulties receiving the correct pay, allowances and increments.
In the new Cabinet, there is a Deputy PM and four Senior Ministers earning higher handsome salaries and allowances, which will also result in higher pension for athose five. They will always get their money on time.
The two major political parties in Barbados are bereft of the ideas, energy and organisational innovation needed to forge a sustainable economy within a progressive, developing society. Their limitations have been exposed over the last 25 years with the cycle of recessions occurring more frequently.
Our political leaders have sought to re-commit to tourism, going back to the 1950s, despite its volatility and the diminishing returns to scale. We have seen tourism fall flat on its face due to COVID.
The political and administrative sandboxes in which Barrow and Adams invested need repairs, as outdated and ‘pop-down’ as are the public buildings that their successors have allowed to run to ruin.
The Honourable are no longer noble in their purpose or venerable in character. Any Government of Barbados needs to exercise better judgement in the management of the country’s affairs.”
Bushman…if they don’t realize they have been effectively TRAPPED now, they never will…ah wish them luck getting out of it under another 50-100 years…2-4 GENERATIONS from now…….we spoke to them for years and years and all they had was BACK CHAT…let them backchat their way outta this…
i got me and mine to look out for, did my part already…
“I am of the firm belief that Barbados would prosper if the parishes became autonomous regions. The system of having a centralised government has been an unmitigated disaster for Barbadians”
The second sentence may be true, but the solution is not what you proposed. I placed this in the same category as having an international airport in St Lucy… Unworkable
Bush TeaApril 4, 2022 10:13 AM
…and BTW
It is too LATE now to develop agricultural responses to the looming crises….
About 20 years too late to be exact.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DavidApril 4, 2022 10:18 AM
@Bush Tea
The blogmaster will NEVER subscribe to any view that shouts ‘too late’.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It’s like going back to square one, 1627, and having to clear land all over again to grow food.
The difference is that much of the land is concretized and cut up in lots with multiple different owners.
There is still land in production and some that is out of production that can be brought back into production but it isn’t going to be as “easy” as 1627.
Today we have tractors and the internal combustion engine that will help but it still is going to be difficult because we have divided the land into microscopic parcels
We have imposed physical constraints because of our unintelligent land development..
Crop rotation has to be relearnt and large areas of land are needed tor this practice as there is a period when some is left fallow.
Anyone found the 35,000 vacant lots that would be suitable for agriculture?
Funny thing, I’ve been hearing the same figure since the 1990’s.
It is like sone of you didn’t bother read about the ongoing initiatives. It is better to post your tired repetitive narratives.
@ David,
GET BEHIND ME!
Never behind a liar.
At breakfast this morning I ate a mango from my own tree. I gave some to a friend. I have some left back for another friend, and some more for myself.
A nice, nice breadfruit offa my childhood tree is in the fridge, waiting to be turned into breadfruit cou-cou.
A question for the talking heads of this who have commented: Have any o’ wunna ever grown even a bunch of seasoning?
I gone. Gotta go give my herb garden a l’il love.
@ David,
It has been removed on the Business Barbados website. However BU still has the article in its archives.
@ Theo,
If you want to know what the meaning of insanity is. Check out the utterances from our clueless Minister of Tourism. The poor woman simply does not understand that our tourist industry has a finite capacity to generate revenue especially during the most difficult of times.
These ministers would struggle to run their own homes.
@ Theo,
How do we know if it’s unworkable? Since 1966, we have persisted with the Dees and the Bees. Where has this got us?
All William can do now is look on….
..i have no sympathy for fools….especially those on BU with their fake ass colonial mentality, they deserve everything they get….wouldn’t want to spoil their fun or surprise…
@ African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved
“The two major political parties in Barbados are bereft of the ideas, energy and organisational innovation needed to forge a sustainable economy within a progressive, developing society. Their limitations have been exposed over the last 25 years with the cycle of recessions occurring more frequently.”
PROFOUND WORDS
yep…am sure they will remember those words for decades to come…..those of us still around sure will……
.i have never met such a bunch of dunces that believe so much crap….but don’t worry, they are the best educated in the Caribbean, so they should come out of this smelling like roses…lol
they better plant food even in a tea cup…food prices are SOARING in Europe already….
Come on.
You need to expand on your statement.
Barbados is a very small island. I cannot imagine an autonomous St. Lucy.
Do we then get a next layer of government?
Will the regions be equal?
What on earth will these regional government be doing/controlling?
@ Cuhdear Bajan who wrote ” Have any o’ wunna ever grown even a bunch of seasoning? ”
Yes I have.
@ Theo
“You need to expand on your statement.”
~~~~~~~~~
What is to explain?
This is as viable a concept as any other.
We have been lured into the albino-centric thinking that there is ‘power’ in large numbers.
There is…
If one is looking to conquer the neighbors and steal their possessions, then this is true.
If the objective is to create giant alliances to then overwhelm all others with your ‘might’… then unity is indeed strength.
But if the objective is COMMUNITY-FOCUS, neighborliness, and collective progress by sharing and caring, then size does NOT matter- in fact, compactness and close personal relationships can be unbeatable assets.
ANOTHER benefit is that we would then get to see 11 different management styles, personalities and tactics – and the RESULTS achieved from each. Then citizens are better placed to play a role in guiding the direction of their particular parish in the direction of the best success. achieved in the best run parish.
We have been so indoctrinated with selfishness, greed and materialism, that we dismiss our natural areas of strength and our natural advantages – using the logic and strategies of our adversaries. No wonder we are always last.
TLSN…with all its warts, it is still a PROGRESSIVE society..
..imagine the jokers in Barbados ever having the aptitude to think of doing any of this…they won’t even legislate a few plants 4-6 a year for the disabled and those suffering with myriad diseases, …without turning it into some oppressive, discriminating wickedness…and someone should take those regressive nuisances seriously.
“Recreational marijuana use was legalized exactly one year ago in the Empire State. The law, signed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, erased past convictions and set up the framework for state-regulated sales, which are expected to begin by the end of the year.
Last month, the state announced that the first batch of retail licenses will go to business owners who were convicted of a marijuana-related offense or their relatives as officials work to promote social and economic equity as part of the program’s rollout.”
The herb is legal in Canada and every citizen can grow four plants for his/her personal use. You can grow four outside and four inside. The four in the yard for a friend who dont have land. lol.
So Hants, Donna and Cuhdear have actually grown something edible. I suppose that 3/14 or so ain’t so bad.
Lol!!!
BU just like much of Barbados.
Bare talk.
So this problem continues which begs the question Why?
Crop theft continues govt comes out and spew political rhetoric asking people not to buy products from road side vendors
That type of govt responses bodes well to say that the good vendor would be caught up in the dragnet of low customer response Hence an inability to gain a livelihood and eventually go out of business
The answer to such problem.as crop theft lies within a govt that have long term vision having measures that can help the legitimate farmer secure their products
Crop theft and animal theft is a world wide problem
However govts have been able to tackle such problems with measures that have helped the farmer
@ac
You should read what you posted on a previous topic.
https://barbadosunderground.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/solution-for-praedial-larceny-minister-estwick/
“BU just like much of Barbados.
Bare talk.”
that’s the reputation it seems to have worked overtime for so long to cultivate and project. Guess that is how the blog owner wants it….a waste, but, it’s a personal choice. We would have to worry if it was the only platform around.
sensible people have moved away from inaction to positive action, the new Black world order, demands it..
“The herb is legal in Canada and every citizen can grow four plants for his/her personal use. You can grow four outside and four inside. The four in the yard for a friend who dont have land. lol”
every country to date that has legislated for medical use, including every small island, except Barbados, has included this in their legislation, because it’s the sensible thing to do, but these jokers want to turn it into something disenfranchising and evil to not benefit the Black majority, as is always their intent….but because of their backwardness, like everything else, that too will return to bite them, let them figure it out on their own, which is a stretch, or wait for it to happen.
We could always do with a laugh.
yes, if you are growing marijuana in your yard, and already have in your house, the neighbor gets to share, it’s that type of herb, that heals a nation.
So how what I posted more than ten years ago remains relevant to the same challenge whereby such measures were limited and unavailable in helping to tackle these problems and the govt of the day had a shortage of financial spend to help the legitimate farmer
Present govt has prioritized its monies in building parks
Handing over millions to the cruise Industry in docking fees
Tax breaks and waivers left right and centre
Go figure!
David don’t use my ten year or more comments as a context as a refresher whereby it can be stamped as having a political preference and a beef against present govt
When times change people and things evolved
Hence the same should be said for any govt who should used a model of priority in the best interest of people and country
Parks and fountains I ain’t getting it right now
Maybe later
Meanwhile, De Country Cunt going out to reap, not talk!
Cunt Corner is a great place to be!
Wuhlaus! Rain. …in Hell!
Must be de devil lookin’ after he own!
De Country Cunt returns to bed and BU Baloney.
For some global context look at Peru:https://youtu.be/l0CUBALCTpw
and
Sri Lanka:https://youtu.be/V_3iAFewWfU
I have about five pumpkins left from last years crop. I farm 500 sq.ft in the allotment and about 200 at home. I get enough produce in 4 months to feed several families. I share with three neighbours, especially my Chinese friend who helps with the planting and weeding. Bajans can do it. In Cuba every little patch, even in the front yards are planted with vegetables. Bajans have no excuse.
Dame Bajans,
Easy peasy!
LMBAO BU is populated with egofowls eh. Day after day after day, just about EGO and no substance. #30-0
Source: Nation
Antigua to serve as hub for banana trade
https://www.nationnews.com/2022/04/06/antigua-serve-hub-banana-trade/
@ Blogmaster:
Do you have any ideas’ how Barbados can cushion the economic impact of skyrocketing oil prices on the international market until it starts to drill offshore?
Now that Guyana is awash in and with oil in high demand, why can’t there be a Caricom Accord to allow fellow non-oil producing members to benefit from this ‘brotherly’ bonanza the same way Bajan black-belly farmers and others have been promised they will reap the sweets of the joint agricultural accords with Guyana and its Caricom neighbour Suriname.
Such a move to show genuine economic love of the Samaritan kind should gladden the heart of William Skinner by making Barrow’s dream of regional economic cooperation come true.
@Miller
There is not much we can do because government cannot afford to give up revenue at this time. Citizens in neighborhoods must band together and car pool, take public transportation and eliminate inessential travel. On the commercial side it maybe where government can subsidize to reduce cost of goods.
Source; Nation
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