EDITORIAL: Eye on ‘Monkey Summit’

Now we can only hope and pray that Barbados learns a thing or two from such an initiative. For far too long in Barbados, we have been making mock sport at this monkey business and for some reason, we are not realising the harmful impact it is having on agriculture and those operating in the sector. There is a saying, “He who feels it, knows it,” and it is often those in the local farming community who have suffered, who have to try to convince others that monkeys really are destructive and can turn potential profit into losses, once they discover a field of crops.

 

It seems as though persons in key management positions in the agricultural sector all have divergent views on how to handle the burgeoning monkey population in Barbados and any sentiments offered by members of the public about how to control the that population, usually just goes through one ear and comes through the other. There seems to be no clear protocol on how to address this frustrating problem. Efforts made to have an increase in relation to the bounty placed on monkey tails as a measure aimed at controlling the population of the primates, have not met well with some Ministry officials. Then there is the view held by some that the monkeys are not to be tampered with, as they are an attraction for those visiting our shores, who thoroughly enjoy the experience of watching the monkeys as they operate in the wild.

 

The fact that Barbados imports so much of its food, coupled with the fact that agriculture has been placed somewhat on the back burner in relation to other key money earners for the country, may be contributing to the problem. You see, the younger generation who has had no real understanding of what it takes to sow and reap, may not fully appreciate how hurtful and devastating it is to have one’s crops harvested by monkeys. In an age where persons go to the supermarket for food, rather than into the “ground”, it is hard to fully comprehend what all the hoopla is about.

 

For those, however, who understand that we need to get serious about our food security; for those who understand what it means to go to one’s backyard or field to reap a hand of bananas, or dig potatoes or pick mangoes so one does not have to face the green grocer or supermarket; and for those who make a living off of sowing and reaping, the picture is quite different.

 

So again, kudos to the officials in St. Kitts for taking the lead in attempting to find solutions to address their monkey problem. Let’s hope agricultural officials here in Barbados follow suit, by first acknowledging the threat posed by monkeys to crop production and secondly, putting heads together to tackle this long-standing problem.

 

There is nothing wrong with copying a good initiative targeted at correcting a problem, especially when it is clear that you have no unique ideas of your own. We often like to copy things that are negative, so why not copy that which is positive?