NEXT YEAR'S AGROFEST agricultural exhibition will introduce gardening and exotic bird competitions and reintroduce a poultry competition.

The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is the organiser of the event, themed Green Today, Sustain Tomorrow. It will take place from February 26 to 28 in Queen's Park, The City. Schoolchildren will again be allowed early access from 9 a.m - 1 p.m., then the official opening ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.

Speaking to the MIDWEEK NATION yesterday iat BAS headquarters, The Grotto, St Michael, chief executive officer, James Paul, said the society was promised the use of the Steel Shed for the bird and poultry competition which would in turn make more room availble for the other exhibitors.

He explained the old agricultural show featured poultry competitions but it would be a first for Agrofest.

"What we are trying to do is to look for better accommodation for the animals, especially the bulls, and increase the number of lots available for pigs as well as bring back the poultry competition and mount an expansive bird show," he said.

Paul added the BAS had more than 200 spaces available for exhibitors and 100 had already signed up.

However, he said they would not use the nearby Weymouth playing field for exhibits as it was lacking in ambience and access to utilities. He said the same format would be kept with the police tattoo and gymkhana performed on the field as usual, unless there was a dire need for space.

In addition, Paul said the BAS would stage a Spelling Bee competition slated to end at Agrofest and would work with schools to improve the quality of their exhibits.

"We want to sharpen the quality of school exhibits, so we are working with teachers so they can be more impactful. We are aiming for at least ten schools to participate," he said.

As for sponsorship, Paul said all previous sponsors had returned but other were beigh sought.

"We really would like the financial sector to play a bigger role because agricultural projects do need financing and we want to emphasise we need more firms taking part.

"We have to emphasise the need to keep the green spaces we have because if we continue along current trends and take up every last bit of agricultural land for perceived more profitable use, we will diminish our ability to feed ourselves," he said. (CA)