AGRICULTURALIST and politician Tyrone Power has passed away.
The former president of the Barbados Agricultural Society died yesterday. He was 61.
Power also ran as a candidate in the 2008 General Elections for the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), losing to late Prime Minister David Thompson.
Opposition Leader Mia Mottley issued the following statement.
“With the passing of Tyrone Power, Barbados has lost one of its most passionate practitioners and voices for agriculture, and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), a loyal supporter.
Tyrone, whose unfortunate passing we learnt of yesterday (Friday), was a force in the dairy industry.
In recent times, from his T&A Farms operated from Golden Grove Plantation, he diversified and produced layers and poultry as well as some vegetables and root crops.
A visionary who never was stopped by the many challenges in the industry, he was passionate about processing and packaging as a means of enhancing the value of production.
In fact, in the last year or two, Tyrone tapped into the potential of the popular moringa product, turning the seeds into powder at a small processing plant at his plantation. This facilitated a wider use of the moringa plant.
His success in agriculture resulted in Tyrone being elected President of the Barbados Agricultural Society, (BAS), and he became one of the longest serving Presidents of that organisation.
He also served as Chairman of the Barbados Agricultural Development and Management Company, (BADMC) and the Rural Development Commission.
Tyrone also possessed many other talents. He was an accomplished athlete, and in fact received a scholarship for his prowess in the 200 metres especially. Tyrone was also a self-taught mechanic who fixed his own heavy farming equipment.
In 2008, he carried the banner for the BLP in St John. This underlined his steadfastness and commitment, for with the odds against us, and in one of the most challenging constituencies for the BLP Tyrone campaigned tirelessly, giving 100 per cent as always.
His passing robs Barbados of yet another one from that bedrock generation of Barbadians who believed in and gave themselves to protecting the fundamentals on which our country has been built and has thrived.
His work and outspokenness as an agriculturist will be sorely missed.
On behalf of myself, my colleagues and the whole BLP family, I extend condolences to Tyrone’s family, his three sons and daughter, and his two beloved grandsons. May he rest in peace.” (PR/SAT)
