Queen’s Park transformed into a vibrant agricultural hub on Friday as Agrofest 2026 opened its gates, attracting thousands of visitors with its compelling showcase of innovation, regional cooperation, and educational opportunities. Unlike previous years hampered by school break timing conflicts, this year’s event witnessed extraordinary student engagement across all age groups.
The three-day exhibition, operating under the theme ‘Innovation Driving Profitable, Sustainable Agriculture,’ presented a diverse array of attractions. Livestock exhibits featuring pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and chickens drew substantial crowds, while agricultural displays highlighted herbs, dwarf fruit trees, and short-week crops alongside abundant local vegetables.
International participation significantly enhanced the event’s scope, with Venezuela, Guyana, and Saint Lucia maintaining prominent booths. These exhibits emphasized agro-processing advancements, export product development, and collaborative regional strategies to reduce the Caribbean’s substantial food import expenditures. Artisanal contributions added a creative dimension, featuring handmade soaps, jewelry, and crafts that merged agricultural themes with entrepreneurial spirit.
The Barbados Agricultural Society’s cook-off competition emerged as a central attraction, where student teams from eight schools transformed home-grown ingredients into innovative culinary creations. Dr. Sonia St Hill highlighted the deliberate emphasis on creatively incorporating ground provisions to address public health concerns related to non-communicable diseases while fostering appreciation for local produce.
Educational benefits extended beyond culinary activities. Students from George Lamming Primary School engaged in animal feeding activities, while Blackman and Gollop Primary School pupils reported valuable learning experiences with livestock interactions and greenhouse technology demonstrations. Springer Memorial School’s contingent, including agriculture-focused fourth-former Tianna Cumberbatch, gained practical insights into modern farming techniques and potential career pathways.
The event also spotlighted youth entrepreneurship, exemplified by 17-year-old Kamaria Boyce of Katories Treats. Her display of innovative baked goods—including specialty sugar cakes and award-winning passion fruit biscuits—demonstrated how agricultural upbringing through 4H programs can evolve into viable business ventures.