Director of the National Library Service (NLS), Jennifer Yarde, believes that the Dr. Chelston W.D. Brathwaite book collection would encourage more Barbadians to learn or improve their farming techniques to improve the island’s food security.
Mrs. Yarde expressed this view yesterday during the donation of agricultural books by Dr. Brathwaite, to add to the existing catalogue of books at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security’s library at its Graeme Hall, Christ Church headquarters.
She told the gathering that the National Library Service and the Ministry of Agriculture were “deeply honoured to be chosen as the recipient of this unique and diverse collection”, as some of the material was written by Dr. Brathwaite.
Mrs. Yarde added that the collection of agricultural materials came at an “opportune time” when the island’s food security was threatened by climate change and environmental damage.
“The foundation of our food supply in agriculture and the capacity to acquire knowledge will assist us in the ability to grow more food. Access to information is key in preparing the next generation for success in agriculture…. Learning about agriculture can help interested persons advance their knowledge and skills in growing food,” Mrs. Yarde said.
She noted that the collection covered a wide range of topics in agriculture, including sustainable farming practices, and food security, and was an excellent resource for inspiring readers to learn more about agriculture.
The NLS Director expressed the hope that users would also peruse the pages to gain a greater understanding about farming, learn new techniques to modify existing skills, or to gain more knowledge about the link between agriculture and Barbadian heritage development.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Terry Bascombe, thanked Dr. Brathwaite for the donation of the books, describing the occasion as a “seminal moment as we revive the interest in agriculture”.
In his remarks, Dr. Brathwaite spoke about the importance of food security and floated the idea of the establishment of a Caribbean Food Security Agency to coordinate the region’s efforts, in this regard.
He warned that the failure to address con-communicable diseases occasioned by poor diet and other factors, undermined the sustainable development and vulnerable and socially disadvantaged groups “being left further behind’.
Some of the books written by Dr. Brathwaite included “Diseases of Tropical Crops”; “An Introduction to the Diagnoses of Plant Disease”; “Reaching the Top: 11 Keys to Success”; “Visions for the Future of Agriculture in Barbados”.
Also addressing the event were Professor Emeritus Sir Henry Fraser, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Barbados Representative, Allister Glean.