BDF agriculture programme growing

Article by RA

THE BARBADOS DEFENCE Force’s Military Initiative for Livestock, Agriculture and Poultry (MILAP) is about to expand.

Word of this came today from officer in charge, Major Wendy Yearwood, as Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave paid an official visit to the Paragon, Christ Church base.

The programme began in 2012 through the initiative of a small group of soldiers at Paragon and St Ann’s Fort to produce food for the BDF’s kitchens.

Yearwood said the Force had been very successful with vegetable produce on the three bases at Paragon, St Ann’s and HMBS Pelican.

“We began our crop cultivation here at Paragon in April 2015. The excess crop we reap we usually donate to entities such as the Geriatric hospital and various children’s homes. Okra has been our biggest crop to date and we have utilised them to also create a punch.

“We are about to launch phase three of the programme next month with the erection of chicken pens for the rearing of poultry, which would include both broilers and layers, and as usual, the excess would be donated,” she said.

There are also plans to rear black belly sheep. (RA)