In a significant enhancement to Barbados’s agricultural infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries has received a substantial donation of operational equipment valued at over $80,000. This collaborative international effort features contributions from three major development organizations aimed at strengthening the nation’s food security programs.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), provided six motorcycles and advanced computer systems to the Ministry. This contribution represents the latest phase in a sustained partnership that has previously delivered drones, mobile communication devices, and a utility terrain vehicle to modernize data collection and management processes within Barbados’s agricultural sector.
Concurrently, the International Regional Plant and Animal Health Organization (OIRSA) donated six additional motorcycles specifically designated for the Ministry’s Screwworm Eradication Program. This initiative plays a critical role in maintaining livestock health and productivity across the island nation. OIRSA has established an ongoing support relationship with Barbados, having previously supplied essential medicines and specialized equipment for the animal health program.
The newly acquired assets will directly address logistical challenges faced by agricultural extension officers, enabling them to reach remote farming communities more effectively. The enhanced mobility and technological capabilities are expected to significantly improve the efficiency of fieldwork operations and the quality of agricultural data collection, ultimately supporting more informed policy decisions and program implementations.