More expansive Agrofest coming

Agrofest 2025 has officially been launched and next year’s edition of the festival is expected to be a more expansive event focused on drawing attention to the agriculture sector and local cuisine.

Speaking during Friday’s launch of the National Agricultural Exhibition, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) James Paul, shared his plans for next year’s edition of the festival centred on the theme – ‘Future Through Agriculture’.

“While we faced some challenges this year, we believe next year’s plans will attract even more attendees,” he said, noting there would be an increased focus on supporting farmers.

“One of the things that we’re going to highlight for next year is that we want to increase what we do for our farmers at the show. You see these nice ribbons that we give for them . . . we want to at least improve what we give to them so that they are even more highlighted than they are,” Paul added.

Another highlight, he said, would be the expansion of the popular Sunday morning breakfast event which is aimed at showcasing more local cuisine.

“We are going to have an enhanced breakfast and we are going to work with some very critical, critical partners out there to help promote our local Barbadian cuisine

because I don’t believe that we exercise enough pride for what we have,” he added.

Paul also emphasised the philosophy of the theme, underscoring the importance of engaging the next generation of farmers through mentorship and workshops provided at the festival.

“There are many young persons out there who want to get into the sector. Our Government spends millions of dollars annually on education and a lot of various incentive programmes, and the reality is that we need to become mentors.

“For us to grow the sector, for us to grow this country, for us to strengthen our communities, agriculture is a very important thread. No farmers, no future. That’s a harsh reality that we all have to face,” Paul said. (JRN)

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