Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Haynesley Benn????

Government is working assiduously to have 20 percent of the working population engaged in self employment and entrepreneurship activities, with special emphasis on agriculture by the year 2016.

Word of this has come from Minister of Agriculture, Senator Haynesley Benn, who said that government was working to combat the rising cost of living, poverty, unemployment and generally to enhance the quality of life of persons living in rural districts.

He was speaking recently at the Farmers’ Market and Fair at Mahaica playing field, Speightstown, St. Peter, in celebration of the Barbados Agricultural and Development Marketing Corporation’s (BADMC)16th anniversary.

The Market, which was the first to be held by the BADMC, aims to support the farmers in their quest to market fresh local fruits and vegetables.

According to Senator Benn, the BADMC had been actively involved in the development of agriculture in Barbados through its irrigation and extension services to farmers, as well as the allocation of land through the Land for the Landless Programme.

He further added that "the Corporation was also working closely with the 4-H movement and schools to promote agricultural technology and sensitise the youth about the need to eat what you grow and grow what you eat".

Minister Benn also disclosed that his Ministry, along with the BADMC, would be collaborating with the various private and public sector agencies to provide effective extension and other services to Barbadian farmers.

He lauded the BADMC for its efforts to promote and encourage young persons to get involved in agriculture and called on farmers to keep cultivating their land and producing crops, in an effort to help sustain agriculture in this country.

tblackman@barbados.gov.bb

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