Queen’s Park transformed into a vibrant hub of agricultural innovation on Friday as Barbados inaugurated its 21st annual Agrofest exhibition. The island’s premier agricultural event attracted hundreds of farmers, exhibitors, students, and visitors, marking a significant step toward redefining the region’s food security landscape.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded addresses from regional officials who positioned Agrofest as central to Barbados’ agricultural modernization agenda. Minister of Agriculture Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight emphasized the event’s alignment with her emerging vision for the ministry, highlighting this year’s thematic focus on innovation and sustainability as critical to developing a resilient and commercially viable agricultural sector.
Demonstrations featured cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence applications, vertical farming systems, and space-efficient cultivation techniques designed to boost productivity on the land-constrained island. Dr. Munro-Knight announced the imminent rollout of a schools-based greenhouse program, with 13 facilities already constructed across primary and secondary institutions. These greenhouses will task students with producing key crops identified as essential for building sustainable agricultural futures.
The minister framed Agrofest within broader regional collaboration efforts, stressing that Barbados’ agricultural development must synchronize with regional processes. “We must scale production at a regional level through strategic partnerships,” she noted, adding that responses to global economic pressures must be rooted in cultural foundations.
Saint Lucia’s Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir, attending her first Agrofest, celebrated the regional cooperation while highlighting the significance of female leadership in agriculture. Her comments coincided with the FAO’s designation of this year as the ‘Year of the Female Farmer,’ making Barbados’ appointment of a female agriculture minister particularly timely.
Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer Peter Ramsaroop contextualized Agrofest within the Caribbean’s ambitious goal to reduce its $6-8 billion food import bill. He revealed Guyana’s 2026 budget made agriculture and agro-processing tax-free, representing a strategic commitment to addressing regional import dependence. Ramsaroop, attending his fifth Agrofest, noted consistent improvements in the exhibition’s scale and quality, recognizing Barbados’ significant potential contribution to regional food security initiatives.