BAS working on project to import more heifers for dairy sector

The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is working on a project that will see a number of heifers imported into Barbados, to further 

increase production in the dairy sector.

 

CEO of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, acknowledged this recently, while noting that he is pleased with the progress the dairy sector is making to date.

 

“Our dairy sector is actually doing pretty well this year. We are seeing a situation actually, where we are not producing enough milk for the demand that is there, but farms are doing 

extremely well at the moment in the dairy sector. 

 

“[Nevertheless], there is a shortage of animals and we are still looking to see how we can facilitate the importation of [more] heifers,” Paul stated.

 

“We are actually working feverishly at the moment. We had a meeting at the Central Bank, in which we are looking to source some funding and they have agreed to at least give the guarantee. 

 

“The problem is that we need to find a bank who will be willing to facilitate that process,” Paul added.Noting that there are approximately ten farms involved in the dairy project, and that just over Bds$400 000 is needed to get it running, Paul lamented the lack of support from some local financial institutions.

 

“I want to say this, when it comes to the agricultural sector, our financial institutions seem to be extremely unresponsive sometimes, but I think we have had one or two who have indicated that they are willing to look at the issue. We are having discussions with those financial institutions to see if they can facilitate the financing of those animals, and get them into Barbados. 

 

“If that happened, we would actually be able to increase...production to meet the expected shortfall that we are expected to see,” Paul remarked. (RSM)