Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying our hearts with food and gladness. (Acts:14 verse 17)
ONCE AGAIN I am taking a look at agriculture in Barbados, because I have a great love and passion for it.
It is in my blood. My grandfather was a planter and I have hands-on experience in this sector, because I grew up in it. I am convinced that these days agriculture in Barbados is not going anywhere. All we are getting is talk and more talk and no action.
Usually when agriculture in any country is strong, the economy is strong also. It is my opinion that agriculture has two gears, “slow” and “stop”. At the moment it is at “stop”. When will it restart?
I cannot help but ask the question – what has become of the state-of-the-art factory which is to be built at Andrew’s, and should be in operation by 2016? That factory was closed in 2013, after the sugar crop of that year, and up to now no form of work has been done to the old Andrew’s.
All we can report is that from its closure some workers were paid from the end of the 2013 crop (harvest) up to the beginning of the 2014 crop. I must ask another question – why are we going to build the state-of-the-art factory, to grind what? The CLICO estates/plantations: Todds, Henley, Bowmanston, Pool, Wakefield, Clifton Hall and Hothersal – which are the heart of the sugar belt-are in pasture, growing grass and bush. The labourers were sent home and given their green papers. The rains are here and the plantations should be planting, but they are not.
We need to hear from the Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management Dr David Estwick and the chairman of The Barbados Agricultural Management Company (BADMC) Dr Don Marshall, very soon.
Just as finance is given to the tourism sector, then agriculture must be given finance now, and not tomorrow, in order to stop it from dying.
Are we going to allow sugar to die? I hope not.
Movie Night
The Usher’s Guild of the St Luke’s Church will be holding a movie night tonight at 7 p.m at the St Luke’s Church Hall, Mount Hill, St George.
Annual day of prayer
The Barbados Mothers’ Union annual Day of Prayer which was scheduled to be held at the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels will now be held at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Cheapside, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m today. All are invited to attend, bring along your prayer requests and we will pray for you and with you.
St Aidan Day
Sunday is St Aidan Day and the church at Bathsheba, St Joseph will be celebrating with Procession and Sung Mass at 7 a.m. At 6 p.m. there will be Solemn Evensong and Procession. All are invited.
Evening of music
The Clifton Hill, Centenary and Fulnec Moravian Churches invite the public to an “Evening of Music Concert” on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Clifton Hill, Moravian Church, Clifton Hill, St Thomas.
40th anniversary
Keith Bourne will be observing his 40th anniversary as organist of St Matthias Church next month. The parish is planning two events to celebrate this milestone. On Sunday, September 7 at 6 p.m.: Service of Evensong (1662 rite) with recital of music, testimonials speeches and presentations. Barbadian musician Roger Gittens has composed an anthem to be sung on this occasion. On Sunday, September 14, at 6 p.m., Dr Sean Jackson will perform in concert.
