Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Haynesley Benn (left) presenting the top prize in the annual website awards to the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation's chief extension officer Euklyn Worrell yesterday.

THE Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) copped the top prize in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's annual website awards.

It dethroned the Fisheries Department, which won the award for the last four years.

During yesterday's ceremony at Grand Barbados Beach Resort, the Analytical Services Laboratory took the second prize, while third place went to the Fisheries Department.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Haynesley Benn, who presented the top prize, said it was necessary that "comprehensive, accurate and timely information" be made available to help facilitate effective policy-making, sectorial planning and management, and promote better agricultural practices.

"The continued use of web-based technology would undoubtedly redound to the benefit of the ministry and the wider agricultural sector," he added.

"The successful execution of our mandate to upgrade the delivery of services which we provide to the public and the enhancement of the regulatory framework will largely depend on the mechanisms and approaches that are implemented," Benn said.

There are about 23 entities which have webpages on the ministry's website. (TY)