Government is currently in discussions with representatives from the Canada Food Processing Skills Centre (CFPSC) on the way forward in building out the agro-processing industry on the island.
During a meeting chaired today by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, at the Ministry, discussions focused on identifying priority areas needed to develop a “holistic, well-grounded, value-added” agro-processing industry in Barbados.
It was noted that in order for the island’s agricultural and industrial sectors to build out the agro-processing industry, educational training would be necessary, which would lead to enhanced skill sets in the area. This is where the technical assistance of the CFPSC would come into play.
Mr. Symmonds said the modalities being discussed with the CFPSC would “pair well” with Barbados’ ambitions to develop the sector, especially the quality and standard of products being produced and exported.
“Our economy has to be built on standards. We can’t go forward without having an economy that is driven and rests on the pillars of standards. To be quite frank, if we don’t set standards here, we’re not going to meet anybody’s standards elsewhere…. In addition, we need to create sector wide competencies, … and an element of innovation has to come about as we create new streams of revenue. This can be achieved through cooperation with the CFPSC,” he said.
Agreeing with Minister Symmonds were his Cabinet colleagues Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Security, Indar Weir; and Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Marsha Caddle.
The Agriculture Minister endorsed the training of the current and incoming agricultural stakeholders that would take place with the CFPSC, noting that the synergies available in primary agriculture, agro-processing, and manufacturing would be beneficial.
“We must prioritise in order for us to be able to create that synergy between what is considered primary agriculture and agro-processing, where we use primary agriculture produce to be able to add value and create the value chain that is required. And in order for us to achieve this and achieve this efficiently, I strongly endorse the training,” Mr. Weir stated.
Ms. Caddle said: “A lot of what you propose resonates with the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology…. We are here to … build out a new industrial sector but also to be able to innovate as we do that, and to make sure that we create learning that supports that, which your training should assist with.”
Executive Director of CFPSC, Jennefer Griffith, expressed excitement about the potential venture between the Government and her organisation.
“So, there’s a lot of exciting things happening, and we’re really passionate about what we do in Canada. We are very well established in what we do around workforce development and the bones and the structure of what we created is very robust and solid. So, I welcome the opportunity to be able to share and partner with the Government. And if we can start building some of these foundations, you … can take off with it and adapt and utilise some of these tools as you see fit,” Ms. Griffith indicated.
Also in attendance at the meeting with the delegation from CFPSC were representatives from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training; acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Paula Byer; and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (Export Barbados), Mark Hill.