Potential for agricultural boost: BAS CEO

The increase in the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) imposed on imports presents opportunities to expand the local agricultural sector.

That’s according to Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul. He made the suggestion as he reflected on the NSRL which as of July 1 moved from two to 10 per cent, noting that to some extent the onus is now on the stakeholders in the sector to recognise the opportunities and capitalise on them.

“There is an opportunity for local agriculture to step up and play a serious role in terms of providing local produce, but achieving this depends on a few things including whether or not the community recognises the opportunities being provided and whether or not they would put some investment behind it in order to make it happen,” he said in an interview with The Barbados Advocate.

He added, “We in the agricultural community have always said that we can do more and an environment is seemingly being created where we can do more, the question that has to be answered now is whether people will take advantage of it.”

With that in mind, Paul said he is hoping over the coming months to encourage farmers to put more acreage under production. His comments came as he indicated that the BAS is at present working on a programme to increase the marketing of local agricultural produce and to persuade retailers to purchase more of that produce including fruits, vegetables and meat from local farmers, rather than importing those items from overseas.

“Of course that must be backed by increasing acreage and acreage would come from increased investment. Hopefully if we can utilise the incentives from the Ministry of Agriculture in this regard that would help, and we must do something because the environment is right for local goods to be made more attractive than imported goods. So if we can increase the acreages and the yields coming out from the acreages that would help to provide the market with an alternative, save foreign exchange, and provide a much boost to the economy,” he said.

Paul contended that rather than complain about the negative impact that the new rate of the levy can have on the country, it is imperative that a more positive approach is taken to the situation and persons see it not as an obstacle, but an avenue for local enterprise in general to blossom. (JRT)