Best Practices in Green Monkey Deterrence: A Manual for Farmers in Barbados

Farmers and others encountering challenges, as a result of monkeys trespassing on their property, may find relief by obtaining the document titled: Best Practices in Green Monkey Deterrence: A Manual For Farmers in Barbados.

The document, endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was prepared last year, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification. It is available free for download at biodiversity.gov.bb, and is now also accessible by clicking here.
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Its activities, which have been deemed successful by several farmers, depending on their locations, were recently commended by Chief Agricultural Officer, Keely Holder, on VOB’s BrassTacks programme. 

Listing some of these, she said the manual contains about 50 deterrence options, including making use of enclosures, road covers, tree nets, fruit covers for bags, solar-powered fence chargers and caution tape.

The document also speaks to solar-powered ultra-sonic devices, propane scare cannons, pepper spray, scent deterrents, chicken manure, Sargassum seaweed, motor sensing, predator images and alarm calls.

Ms. Holder, however, stressed that for some persons a combination of deterrents may have to be employed since the primates may become accustomed to one or the other.  She added that these could be selected according to a person’s budget and environment.

Property owners, farmers and others involved in backyard/kitchen gardening should download a copy of the document on either website.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has urged Barbadians to also utilise the Monkey WhatsApp Hotline, another collaborative initiative with the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification.

The WhatsApp feature 535-5237 only accommodates messages.  No calls will be accepted. Persons using the hotline must include the following information in their message: Name, Address, Telephone Number and WhatsApp Location Pin.

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

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