By Deanzer Roberts
Barbados on Sunday February 24th 2025, welcomed a significant donation from Guyana, reinforcing the deepening partnership between the two nations under the Saint Barnabas Accord. The generous contribution of 750 packets of Morning Glory Rice Cereal was presented at Agrofest 2025, underscoring the growing collaboration in food security and humanitarian efforts.
The Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) donated the boxes of Morning Glory breakfast cereal to the One Family Programme in Barbados. Morning Glory Inc. is a company based on the east coast of Guyana, Office Manager, Indrawatie Natram, expressed gratitude and pride in bringing the product to Barbados. “We feel very honored and privileged to contribute in this way,” she said. “Humanitarian efforts have always been a core part of our company, and we have previously supported orphanages in Guyana as well as the national school feeding program. During COVID-19, we also made significant donations.”
Receiving the donation on behalf of Barbados was Chetwyn Rice, Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnership Specialist for the Government’s flagship poverty alleviation initiative, the World Food Program. “This contribution is fantastic, especially considering the high percentage of children in our program. I was also educated that rice is much more nutritious than cornflakes, and I made a mental note of that,” Rice stated. She emphasized that the donation aligns with the Government of Barbados’ vision of strategic cooperation and mutual support among CARICOM nations.
The initiative was spearheaded by Guyana Invest, with Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment Dr. Peter Ramsaroop highlighting its dual purpose. “This donation is part of our commitment to supporting our citizens across the region and showcasing Guyanese products. As CARICOM moves toward reducing its food import bill by 25% by 2025, we must consider why we are importing cereal from other regions when we have high-quality options right here in the Caribbean,” he said.
Dr. Ramsaroop further elaborated on the broader vision under the Saint Barnabas Accord, emphasizing the importance of regional food security and trade. “This initiative is about more than just one donation—it’s about strengthening supply chains between Barbados and Guyana. Our goal is to ensure that products like Morning Glory Rice Cereal become a staple in Caribbean households, rather than relying on international imports.”
Looking to the future, the partnership between Barbados and Guyana is expected to expand, with plans for a food terminal in Barbados to serve as a regional distribution hub and a soon-to-be-finalized ferry service enhancing trade logistics. These initiatives will not only bolster economic ties but also contribute to food security across the region.
The donation from Morning Glory Inc. stands as a testament to the potential of intra-regional cooperation, reinforcing the principle that together, CARICOM nations can achieve greater food sustainability and economic resilience.
Caption: R-l Juan Edghill Guyana Office for Investment, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Rayann Hickinson HR Officer Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), Indrawattie Natram Office Manager Morning Glory Inc, Chetywn Rice.
