AS FOOD PRICES continue to rise Caribbean people are being urged to be their brother's keeper.

Speaking at the Agrofest Awards Ceremony on Saturday at the Dining Club, Manor Lodge Complex, St Michael, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Of Agriculture and Rural Development, Freddie Forde, said it was necessary to develop a regionalist approach to food security.

Forde said although many countries were developing plans in an attempt to adequately feed their populations, too often those plans were only at the national level.

He said CARICOM countries were faced with a growing dependence on imported food.

"These countries collectively are reported to have a food import bill estimated to be three billion US dollars," he said. Locally, food imports have shown a steady increase from BDS $266 million in 1996 to BDS $477 million in 2006, he added.

Forde said nearly all small islands were faced with new concerns relating to the uncertainty and unpredictability of the impact of climate change and rising energy costs on food security.

In relation to Barbados, Forde said the agricultural sector had undergone much change over the years and would continue to do so since these changes were necessary to maintain the sector.

"Over the past decade we have witnessed the agricultural sector being threatened in many ways but it has managed to survive and [has] shown steady progress in several sub-sectors.

"Vegetable production had increased overall whereby total production in 2007 was 5841.16 kilogrammes compared to 5796.1 kilogrammes in 2006," he added.

Forde said there were notable increases in the production of beets, cucumbers and pumpkins with tomatoes recording the largest increase.

On the issue of limited land space, Forde said the proper management of this resource was especially vital. To this end he said Government would be introducing an Agricultural Protection Act which would reserve 30 000 acres of land.

Food security plan

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture would be "actively pursuing" the development of a National Food Security Plan by 2010, he said.

Meanwhile, CEO of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, said this year's Agrofest was above the expected standard.

He attributed his to the level of enthusiasm shown by partners as well as teamwork and a belief in the sector.

He also lauded the "solid support" from the schools and promised that next year's exhibition would be even better. It is expected to be held from February 27 to March 1, under the theme Agrofest – Going Green. (NB)