Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Group The fears of many progressives that Caribbean leaders will not embrace a new economic path post COVID -19, are slowly surfacing. While we support the current efforts in the fight against COVID-19, we must admit that as the region returns to state of normalcy or what is being branded the “new norm”, there
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Submitted by Mahogany Coconut Group Many regional commentators are of the firm opinion, that the post COVID-19 economies, will have to consider putting the Agriculture industry, at the forefront of economic planning. While we certainly do not want to engage in pessimism, we suspect that some who share this view, may be quite optimistic and are avoiding historical truths. The
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The following blog reflects concern about food security in a Trinidad and Tobago context, however, the message rings true for the majority of countries in the region including Barbados. It raises the perennial concern that Caricom has not been able to implement solutions to address concerns about the need for food security for its member. Thanks to Tee White sharing
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Covid-19 (Coronavirus) was classified by the World Health Organization this week as a pandemic. The aggressive infection rate has forced unprecedented decisions, Italy is on ‘lock down’, President Trump has issued a travel ban on traffic originating in Europe… cancellations of major sporting events. Although Barbados has not reported its first case up to the time of updating the
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BU research supports that Agrofest started in 2005. It means by any reasonable expectation the objectives of the event should be starting to bear fruit. What are the objectives? To demonstrate the symbiotic relationship between agriculture and the community. To highlight the impact of agriculture on other economic sectors. To cater to the wide and divergent interests of the Barbadian
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One of the noticeable marks Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley has been making early in her tenure is on the regional front. By contrast former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart was silent and usurped the leadership role Barbados has played historically in the region. Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the 2019 Caribbean Forum on Regional Transformation for Inclusive and Sustainable
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This is a documentary relating to a letter I sent to you some time ago on agriculture. The way we farm nowadays does not in any way allow for proper land management, water harvesting or soil regeneration. Instead it increases run off, soil erosion and soil nutrient loss. The majority of Barbadians need to be more aware about the environment,
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For those who love to read here is a book IN DEFENSE OF FOOD – Thank you Bentley. Here is another topic Barbadians delight in giving lip service. We have reached a point where we do not intend to attack the serious issue of food security. Equally important is that we do not use our intelligence and formal education to understand
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Dr. Robert Lucas gave an insight about what has led to the unflattering development of Bajan Cherry. Food for thought – David, blogmaster I would like to explain some facts. Firstly I just came across this post from a couple of days ago. I was the agronomist at Soil Conservation who was responsible for the propagation of the Barbados Cherry
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The Editor You may be interested in posting the attached article on food fraud which I did in 2000. The topic is topical as Ms. Ena Harvey talked about the topic in today’s paper [8 August 2019]. The scan is from the original newspaper cuttings and gives a run down on the history of food fraud. Food fraud is widespread.
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The Editor Barbados Underground Barbados,W.I Dear Sir/Madam, There was an article in Barbados Today of 16th.February 2019 entitled “Dumped.” In the article Mr. James Paul bemoans the fact that the two largest sponsors have jumped ship. In 1971 as a final year student in agriculture at the University of the West indies, St. Augustine Campus;Tom Henderson, Professor of Agricultural Extension
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The Editor Barbados Underground Barbados,W.I Dear Sir/Madam, Recently, there was an article aired in the media concerning the utilization of fish by ensilaging techniques. According to Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, “between 30 and 70 per cent of fish caught by local fishermen is currently being wasted”. The project, entitled the “Fish Waste Silage” project
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Submitted by Green Monkey Important info for workers in the agricultural sector and hobby farmers/gardeners/landscapers etc. who use Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer, especially those who do so on a regular basis. In light of the evidence produced in a recent US lawsuit, anyone using Roundup herbicides would be wise to exercise extreme caution. According to the jury verdict, the warnings
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The Editor Barbados Underground Bridgetown, Barbados West Indies Dear Sir/Madam, In a blog (4th. August) in reply to my last article: Webster had this to say: “The only thing obvious about this statement is the contradiction i.e. that the sodium is leached and yet there is an accumulation. Barbados limestone soils are well drained and there can be no accumulation
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Submitted by Robert D. Lucas, Ph.D. and CFS, Certified Food Scientist [Barbados Underground] The Editor Barbados Underground Bridgetown, Barbados West Indies Dear Sir/Madam, There was an article in the Nation of 26th July entitled “How to handle sargassum” by Mr. Peter Webster. Webster in paragraph one seems to have a problem with “however, if large concentrations of sodium salts
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Submitted by Freedom Crier Investigate the production (oil palm) as the replacement for sugar cane production including on hilly or semi-arid lands. The infrastructure that we have in sugar plantations is the same as required for this type plantation crop and we have an oil processing plant in Barbados i.e. Roberts Manufacturing. Just a small amount of retooling is
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Submitted by Robert D. Lucas,Ph.D. and CFS, Certified Food Scientist The Editor Barbados Underground Bridgetown, Barbados West Indies Dear Sir/Madam, The following is an overview of the uses of seaweed in the food industry. Suggestions are also proposed for prospective uses of the product. Seaweeds belong to a group commonly called macro-algae or hydrocolloids in the food industry. The latter
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Submitted by Robert D . Lucas, Ph. D, CFS, Certified Food Scientist Recently, there has been a hue and cry over the use of Sargassum seaweed as a soil amendment locally. Mr. Joshua Forte has been touting the benefits to be derived from the use of the fertilizer. On the other hand, Ms. Deborah Hunte, President of the Farmers’ Association
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