Minister of Economic Affairs and Empowerment, Innovation, Trade,??Industry and Commerce, Dr.??David Estwick, patronising stalls at the second Farmers’ Market and Fair, held last Saturday at the Princess Margaret Secondary School’s playing field in St.??Philip.??(Image: Trevor Daniel/Ministry of Agriculture)

Minister with responsibility for Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. David Estwick, has pledged his support to small business operations engaged in farming, not only in obtaining financial assistance but also with respect to the development of other aspects of their technical skills.

He gave this assurance last Saturday evening while addressing the second farmers’ market and fair hosted by the Barbados Agricultural and Development Marketing Corporation (BADMC), at the Princess Margaret Secondary School, in St Philip.

While stating that Government through his Ministry was committed to the enhancement of small businesses, Dr. Estwick noted:?? "We have a business development programme where our grant funding and our small business special technical and assistance programmes …could be utilised and accessed by those persons who are interested in farming."

Dr. Estwick described the farmers’ markets as an essential direct marketing avenue for small farmers and entrepreneurs to sell their goods and services directly to the public and expressed gratitude to the BADMC for successfully staging the events.

One of the functions of the BADMC is to facilitate the growth of agricultural programmess and forge links between the famers and the buying community.???? According to Chairman of BADMC, ??Don Alleyne, "Farmers’ markets such as this, will surely assist not only the farmers in marketing their produce and entrepreneurs in marketing their goods and services to the buying public who would hopefully benefit from lower prices in these tough economic times."??

The market saw a number of small businesses displaying their produce, products and services. The next Farmers’ Market and Fair is scheduled to be held in the south of the island, in either February or March, next year.

lbayley@barbados.gov.bb

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