FOR THE FIRST TIME, everything will be in place when Agrofest begins.And it will be the biggest one to date.

In a Press briefing yesterday in Queen's Park, the venue for Agrofest 2008, Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) chief executive officer James Paul said the BAS was making sure the structures were ready for March 7 to 9 agricultural expo.

"The situation is well ahead. One of the things we wanted to ensure this year was that the pivotal structures were up this year. So for the first time, patrons who come on Friday will see everything complete and would not be robbed of any sights," he said.

Paul said the exhibitors had increased to 160, from local and regional to international, and the BAS was expecting 40 000 patrons, compared to 35 000 last year. He said the livestock and plant entries were going well, with bigger Black Belly sheep and milking animal competitions.

"One of the things we have done this year is to better utilise the box office so there would no frenzy at the gate this year. In fact, we are actually monitoring the box offices to see the sales," he said.

Paul said the BASwas also planning to involve the public more with a karaoke competition on Friday and events such as sack races and egg and spoon races on Sunday. He added there would be lucrative prizes awarded for the competitions.

"Agriculture is very much alive and will continue to flourish. Barbados has the biggest agricultural exhibition in the region which stands apart from any other and I anticipate something for everyone," he said. (CA)