EDITORIAL: Time to seek alternative farming practices

 

In a diverse and often divided world, fundamental human characteristics unite us. When one considers the basic functions of life, the need for food is paramount and so food becomes one of the uniting factors of this world we live in.
 
Last Sunday this was evident as all across the globe people came together to celebrate World Food Day, with this year’s theme being “The Climate is Changing. Food and Agriculture must too”. This concept motivates a closer examination of the effect of climate change on the country’s agricultural production and the sustainability of any agricultural endeavour.
 
In the past the major concern with regard to food has been with ensuring food security. Agriculture continues to be seen as a way to reduce the food import bill, while contributing to healthy, balanced diets and promoting the conservation of plant and animal species.
 
Here in Barbados, the role of family farming has gained increasing support, with particular attention being given to the future of agriculture – the youth. In recent times, at least one constituency council has pushed the idea of backyard gardening. In addition, non-governmental programmes like ‘Youth on the Rise’ agricultural project and the Agri-preneurship programme target youngsters, teaching skills in crop production and livestock rearing and helping to give young people in this country a viable avenue through which to earn an income.
 
However, if agricultural production is to be sustainable then reaching the younger generation will not be enough. There will also need to be suitable environmental conditions in which to farm.
 
Farmers in Barbados are already facing a serious environmental concern in terms of low rainfall and severe drought conditions, especially for the past three years. This summer Barbadians were issued restrictions for water usage, prohibitive measures that were necessary in the face of low reservoir levels and dry taps across our country. This led to several farmers crying out that they can’t continue planting crops or rearing animals since there was no ready supply of water.
 
This is very unfortunate and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
 
It is well past time that farmers are given the equipment and trained how to make use of best farming techniques to combat climate change concerns. The Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture has been working on solutions in the face of the climate challenge – most notably in the areas of organic agriculture, protected agriculture and rainwater harvesting, and farmers can benefit greatly from this knowledge.
 
When all is said and done, while it is accepted that Barbados cannot produce all the foods that are consumed here, there are still opportunities to produce more and in the process achieve some measure of security while also cutting down on the island’s food import bill. But we cannot develop the agricultural sector further without first addressing the changing climate and its effect on our island, and seeking alternative production practices that will keep us abreast of any environmental changes.

Barbados Advocate

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