In a groundbreaking initiative to foster self-reliance and enhance food security, the Ministry of Agriculture in Barbados has joined forces with the One Family Programme to empower vulnerable households through backyard farming. The collaboration was officially launched at a ceremony held at the ministry’s Graeme Hall headquarters on Friday, coinciding with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and following World Food Day. The event marked the symbolic presentation of two grow boxes, which will serve as the foundation for a broader community-driven effort to encourage sustainable food production. Senior Agricultural Officer Bret Taylor emphasized the practicality of the initiative, noting that each grow box can yield up to 25 to 30 heads of lettuce, alongside herbs and peppers, demonstrating the potential of small spaces for diverse crop cultivation. “This initiative is designed to show households how they can achieve self-sufficiency,” Taylor explained. “It’s about maximizing limited space to grow a variety of crops, fostering both nutrition and independence.” Nicole Daniel, social development project manager with the One Family Programme, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership. “These grow boxes are more than just containers of soil and seedlings—they are powerful tools for empowerment, teaching families that even the smallest spaces can yield meaningful results,” she said. The programme, which supports 1,000 of the most vulnerable families in Barbados, aims to transition participants from dependency to independence through mentorship, training, and community support. The initial phase of the project will involve 50 families, selected for their interest and aptitude in gardening, with technical assistance provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. Daniel also revealed that 25 barrels, donated by pharmaceutical supplier Aventa Barbados (formerly Collins Limited), will be utilized in the initiative. Beyond improving household nutrition, the project seeks to strengthen community bonds by encouraging families to share and trade their produce. “When one family plants a seed, another can help it grow,” Daniel said. “This exchange of resources—whether it’s thyme for lettuce or peppers for herbs—embodies the spirit of empowerment that defines the One Family Programme.”