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WORLD FOOD DAY MESSAGE

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security joins the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in celebrating World Food Day, October 16.

This year’s theme, “Leave no One Behind: Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”, reinforces the importance of developing food systems that can withstand shocks such as climatic events, pandemics and political unrest, so that there is minimal disruption to the supply of fresh, safe and nutritious foods to all citizens, including the most vulnerable.

As Barbados continues to grapple with the severe impact of climate change on crop and livestock yields, the global supply deficits generated by the COVID-19 pandemic; and the effects of the Russia/Ukraine war, with price hikes triggered by grain and oil shortages, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security is determined to ‘leave no-one behind’.

**Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security, Indar Weir. (FP)**

The Ministry is persevering in its efforts to combat the dry conditions precipitated by climate change. The recently-expanded Brown’s Pond at River Plantation, with a storage capacity of 6 million gallons, is in operation and will service the 60 acres there; whilst the pump house at Lears which is 95% complete, will facilitate the distribution of water from the 21 million gallon reservoir to over 100 farmers and allotment gardeners to benefit from that programme.

The Government is also seeking to alleviate challenges faced by farmers associated with the rising costs of feed inputs. At the domestic level, my Ministry is currently involved in discussions with local animal feed producer, Pinnacle Feeds Ltd., about ways to ensure that price increases are either avoided, or kept at a minimum.

As a small country, Barbados is a price taker within the global marketplace. It is therefore now urgent, perhaps more than ever, for local businesses to identify and pursue lower cost inputs, even if it means a movement away from traditional source markets. In many cases, my Government can assist with identifying cheaper source markets without compromising input quality.

The Ministry’s Farmers’ Empowerment and Enfranchisement Drive (FEED) Programme, executed by the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) continues to attract interest, with some 351 participants registered in the last cohort in August 2022. Further, the Programme has seen increased crop-planting at Mt. Poyer, Wakefield Plantation and Bath Plantation. I am particularly pleased that lands at Spencer’s Plantation are being brought back into production.

The recently-launched Community Agricultural Response and Empowerment (CARE) Project seeks to improve the quality of life of persons living below the poverty line, by providing opportunities for communities to grow their own food. The BADMC and the Barbados Agricultural Management Company Ltd. (BAMC) will offer support with land clearing, cultivation and planting material.

Notwithstanding local efforts to boost agricultural output, the Government of Barbados recognizes that alliances between countries are critical to the Caribbean becoming self-sufficient in the production of nutritious food. Each individual country does not have the requisite natural resources, especially land and water, to produce all it needs. To this end, the Government eagerly embraced CARICOM’s 25×25 vision, which challenges Member States to reduce extra-regional agri-food imports by 25% by 2025.

Since the pronouncement of the 25×25 vision, Barbados signed Cooperation Agreements with two of its regional neighbours, Guyana and Suriname, in July 2022. The St. Barnabas Accord with Guyana encompasses several areas of agricultural cooperation including crop production, animal husbandry, fisheries and trade facilitation.

The Formation Agreement for the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform with Suriname will facilitate partnerships in similar areas. Under both Agreements, the possibility also exists for Barbadian farmers to travel to these countries to work agricultural lands provided by the respective Governments.

The Government acknowledges the fact that comprehensive agricultural policy also includes legislative and other supportive mechanisms. To this end, I am proud to report that in August 2022, Parliament passed the new and improved Protection of Agricultural Products Act. This long awaited piece of legislation will provide local farmers with the necessary recourse to acts of praedial larceny against them, while at the same time require them to take some measure of responsibility in averting such occurrences.

On this World Food Day, I extend sincere thanks to all farmers, institutional partners including FAO and employees of the Ministry for their commitment to advancing agriculture in Barbados. Despite the unprecedented, exogenous shocks that have caused setbacks, I am satisfied that the implemented programmes, the adoption of resilient, sustainable agricultural practices, along with the tireless efforts of all interest groups will bear much fruit.

As Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security, I assure you that I remain resolutely committed to the task given to me four years ago. May God bless all of you.

The Hon. Indar Weir
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security

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The Red Shoes Project

Honouring Victims, Supporting Survivors, Raising Awareness

Project Calls for Action on Gender-based Violence

Violence against women is not merely a statistic; it is a pervasive global issue that disrupts the lives of countless women and girls and places a heavy burden on communities. To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (from 25 November to 10 December), The Red Shoes Project, displayed at nine locations across Barbados acknowledges the harsh reality and lasting impact of gender-based violence, while supporting survivors.

The nine locations identified – mainly public spaces around Barbados – will display red-painted shoes representing women lost to femicide (gender-related killings of women and girls) and other forms of violence. Each empty pair of shoes symbolizes a life cut short, a voice silenced, a future taken away. The shoes also stand as a symbol of love and unity, a testament to the strength and resilience of the women who continue to fight for their lives and their rights and a call for all of us to stand with them in solidarity and to take action to end violence against women. First conceptualized by Mexican artist, Elina Chauvet, the Red Shoes Project challenges us to recognize that change can only happen when we stop dismissing gender-based violence as someone else’s private problem.

“Malgorzata Wasilewska was appointed EU Ambassador to Barbados in 2020. She previously served as Ambassador of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands.”

The European Union is coordinating the art installation, undertaken as acollective action in partnership with Bureau of Gender Affairs of the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, the National Cultural Foundation, the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (University of the West Indies), the Barbados Community College, UN Women Caribbean and the diplomatic missions of Argentina, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Worldwide, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence. In the Caribbean, one in two women have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence in their lifetime and the region faces some of the highest femicide rates globally. Gender-based violence is an egregious human rights violation. More than just an exhibition, the Red Shoes Project prompts each of us to consider our role in addressing this human rights issue and to pledge to create a future where women and girls are no longer at risk. Governments, communities, and individuals must look beyond the display and ask: How can we ensure that these shoes become a relic of the past rather than a reflection of our present?

When?

During the 16 Days of Activism, from 25 November until 10 December.

Where?

25 November to 10 December: exhibit of the Red Shoes Project at the following locations (open to the public):

The European Union Delegation
The Barbados Community College
The British High Commission
The Bureau of Gender Affairs
The Embassy of Argentina
The High Commission of Canada
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
The US Embassy
UN Women

Further information for the public:

Shoe Donations: For members of the public who wish to donate shoes, we are still accepting donations. Donated shoes need to be used, women’s shoes of any style or colour and can be dropped off:
- on Friday, November 15, at The UWI, between 14:00 and 16:00, on the guild lawn (opposite the cricket field)
- every day until Friday, November 22, between 9:00 and 15:00 at the Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit (UWI).
7 December: A one-day exhibit will take place in Golden Square on Saturday, December 7, open to the public and press. ( PR )

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National Thanksgiving Service A Time Of Celebration

As Barbados prepares to mark its 58th Anniversary of Independence on November 30, plans are well under way for one of the main events on the month-long calendar of celebrations, the National Thanksgiving Service.

Themed ‘Stronger Together with Peace, Love and Unity’, the service will take place on Sunday, November 24, at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey, St. Michael, beginning at 10:00 a.m. It will be attended by Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, members of Cabinet and other dignitaries. Members of the public are also invited to attend.

During a press briefing on Thursday at the Warrens Office Complex, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Marva Howell, said that her ministry was hosting the National Thanksgiving Service in conjunction with the religious community, both Christian and multi faith.

In her remarks, Chairman of the service’s National Organising Committee, Senator Patricia Parris, expressed her excitement for the upcoming event, saying that Barbados has much to celebrate.

“There’s so much to celebrate in this country. So, we’ve got to be there, to be part of the celebration with the theme: ‘Stronger Together with Peace, Love and Unity’. A lot of planning has gone into the service so you too can be there.

“One thing I would like to also highlight is that we will be having greetings and congratulatory messages before the service starts from the diaspora and religious leaders, so we will be streaming the service online,” she shared.

Senator Parris also reminded those in attendance that the service was open to all members of the public and tickets were not required for entry. She added that the necessary arrangements would be made for parking to ensure the steady flow of traffic.

The officiant of this year’s service will be Pastor of Second Chance Ministries, Dr. Winston Clarke. In his remarks, Dr. Clarke stated that the organisers were expecting ‘a bumper crowd’ and urged members of the public to turn out in their numbers.

“We are soliciting the support of all of our [church] leaders. We’re asking you to turn out in your numbers. Let us celebrate. Let us give God thanks for having brought us to another year. Let us come together as a people in keeping with the theme which speaks to being together and expounding the virtues of peace and love together,” he affirmed.

While Dr. Clarke will be the officiant, the Bishop of Barbados and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, will deliver the sermon.

Assistant Director of Music with The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) Band, Superintendent Anderson Whitehall, said that the musical package being prepared by TBPS promises to be entertaining.

“We will have a pre-service with the Police Band and the audience. I will engage the audience in a singalong … believe you me, we will have the audience clapping… We will enjoy ourselves in that area before the service starts, then we have various soloists performing during that time,” he revealed.

Superintendent Whitehall said that the audience could expect song favourites such as ‘Goodness of God’, ‘He’ll do it Again’, ‘God and God Alone’, ‘Jump Up If You Love Him’ by local gospel band Promise, as well as a revival gospel medley.

He also disclosed that TBPS Band would accompany a 70-voice choir comprising schools and choirs from around the country, which is expected to serenade the audience with hymns, including a special rendition of the song ‘People Need the Lord’.

Faith leaders from the Muslim, Seventh-Day Adventist, Salvation Army, Jewish, Baha’i and Christian communities, as well as members of the disabled community, will celebrate and participate in this year’s National Thanksgiving Service. Seating for those attending the service will begin at 9:15 a.m., with a prompt start expected at 10:00 a.m. (PR/GIS)

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Barbados Attends US Southern Command Change Of Command Ceremony

In an illustration of international and regional military collaboration and solidarity, Brigadier Carlos Lovell, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), participated in the recent Change of Command Ceremony for United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

This event, conducted at SOUTHCOM’s headquarters in Doral, Florida, underscored the lasting partnership between the United States and its Caribbean allies in the pursuit of regional security and stability. The ceremony signified the leadership transition from General Laura Richardson to Vice Admiral Alvin Holsey.

During the Change of Command events, Brigadier Lovell underscored the critical importance of unity and cooperation in addressing the complex security challenges that the region faces.

He reiterated the BDF’s, commitment on behalf of the Government of Barbados, to collaborate closely with the United States and other regional partners to foster a safer and more prosperous Caribbean.

Brigadier Lovell’s attendance served as a significant highlight, illustrating the interconnectedness of the region’s security dynamics and emphasising that regional security is a collective responsibility requiring the concerted efforts of all involved nations.

It was emphasised that the U.S. Southern Command, under its new leadership, remains steadfast in its dedication to nurturing these vital partnerships and advancing the mission of peace and stability throughout the Caribbean and beyond.

Barbados and the United States have enjoyed friendly bilateral relations since Barbados gained Independence in 1966. Since the establishment of this relationship, the Government of Barbados has received support from the US to promote the country’s economic development.

This collaboration, mainly through SOUTHCOM, has been positive, with both countries working closely together to combat transnational crime and enhance hemispheric security.

Over the past four decades, the relationship between the BDF and the US military has been strengthened through various professional development programmes, delivered primarily by the US Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, as well as other supportive departments and agencies. This partnership has also included participation in numerous operational and military exercise initiatives.

SOUTHCOM’s support for Barbados and the BDF can be categorised into three main components: professional development through training; foreign military financing, and field team visits, which include operations and participation in conferences and meetings. An overview of these components includes:

International Military Education and Training (IMET)
Mobile Training Teams and Joint Combined Exchange Training
Operations to Counter Transnational Threats
State Partnership Programme (SPP)/Small Unit Exchanges
Exercises
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT)
Conferences and meetings

The Change of Command ceremony for SOUTHCOM was not only a significant military event, but also a representation of the strong friendship and collaboration between the United States and its Caribbean allies.

The support provided by SOUTHCOM has greatly benefited the BDF by enhancing its leadership, technical, tactical, and specialised capabilities.

The BDF’s presence at the ceremony emphasised the mutual respect and shared objectives that strengthen this relationship, paving the way for continued cooperation in addressing security challenges in the pursuit of peace. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: From left to right – Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, Brigadier Carlos Lovell; Vice Admiral Alvin Holsey, and his wife Stephanie, at the recent Change of Command Ceremony at SOUTHCOM’s headquarters in Florida.