DLP St. Peter candidate plans agricultural push

If Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate Dave Cumberbatch has his way St. Peter would take the lead revitalising Barbados’ agriculture sector. An agricultural push, especially with the youth, is among the many plans he has to take not only that parish, but the country forward.

Cumberbatch made this disclosure during the official opening of his constituency office at Mile-and-a-Quarter, on Sunday night.

“I know that there is land around Barbados, certainly in St. Peter, whereby our youth can use to make that next step… My emphasis would be one on agriculture, whereby the youth can access land for farming.”

“Those of you who keep abreast of our balance of payments; our imports and exports – this is one of the areas in which Barbados can improve on. We import about 95 per cent of the things we consume. I am saying that is an area whereby not only our youth, but people in general can assist by working the lands,” he pointed out.

“If each of us had a kitchen garden in Barbados we could benefit significantly with our balance of payments… I want to use St. Peter as that example whereby I can encourage each and everyone in this parish to grow what we eat. In addition, by getting back to our kitchen gardens we can take some pressure off the Queen Elizabeth Hospital because there are a number of diseases which come about as a result of what we are eating.”

Cumberbatch told supporters that the constituency office is a place where the young, middle-aged and seniors – whatever their status in life – can access information.

“I want this office to be there as a source of information. One where you can come get advice; an office where you can come better yourself,” he stressed.

“Everyday it burns my heart to see how young people misuse technology. The world is in love with technology and I am saying that we have a number of young people in Barbados who have the brains, the talent, the will – as long as we channel those energies in the right direction we can make Barbados the centre of technology in the world. I am saying that it just takes energising our young people – just give them the motivation, know-how, advice which we will provide at this constituency office; channel their energies in the right way.”

The St. Peter candidate, an Attorney-at- Law will go up against Opposition Barbados Labour Party candidate Colin Jordan, former President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association in the next generalelection. (TL)