Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • New cooperative to fund aloe vera project

    New cooperative to fund aloe vera project

    In a strategic move to revitalize local agriculture and stimulate economic development, Member of Parliament Chad Blackman has announced the establishment of the Ear of Corn Cooperative Society (ECCS) in St James North. The initiative, unveiled during a farmers’ forum at Gordon Greenidge Primary School, represents a comprehensive approach to integrating agricultural production with high-value market opportunities.

    The cooperative’s flagship project will focus on commercial aloe vera cultivation, targeting global markets for processed goods rather than raw commodity exports. Blackman emphasized the unique advantage Barbados holds, noting that the island naturally grows the exact aloe species demanded by international cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturers. “For any product containing aloe—soaps, lotions, anything—examine the ingredients,” Blackman stated. “The premium species used worldwide grows abundantly in our backyards.”

    The ECCS framework addresses multiple challenges simultaneously: it unites previously fragmented farmers, establishes direct connections to retail and tourism sectors, and creates pathways for value-added production. Blackman, drawing on his experience as Barbados’s former ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, positioned agriculture as fundamental to national development rather than a peripheral activity.

    Ryan Medford, ECCS founder, highlighted the critical need for coordination among producers. Historically, farmers operating independently created seasonal gluts by planting identical crops simultaneously, undermining their bargaining power and depressing prices. “The issue isn’t retailers,” Medford clarified. “It’s our lack of collective planning.” The cooperative will implement contract farming models to align production with market demand, ensuring stable pricing and consistent supply.

    The project strategically leverages St James North’s diverse assets—agricultural lands, urban centers, and prime tourism locations—to create integrated economic opportunities. Blackman articulated the vision: “We’re connecting food security and nutrition with tourism, our primary revenue generator, while enabling locals to capture more value from both sectors.”

    Support agencies including the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation, the Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture have committed resources to the initiative. The cooperative has progressed beyond conceptualization to formal registration as a legal entity, signaling its transition to operational status.

    Byron Gibson of HARVEST Cooperative, which facilitated ECCS’s establishment, underscored the broader mission: elevating agricultural workers from the “base of the financial pyramid” through structured cooperation and value chain integration. The project embodies a national development philosophy where agriculture forms the foundation of sustainable economic progress.

  • Road deaths climb to five; three recorded in St Philip so far this year

    Road deaths climb to five; three recorded in St Philip so far this year

    Barbados is confronting a severe road safety emergency as official police statistics reveal five traffic-related deaths within the first weeks of 2024. The eastern parish of St Philip has emerged as a particular area of concern, accounting for three of these tragic incidents.

    The most recent fatalities occurred during a devastating Sunday afternoon period. At approximately 3:18 PM along Searles Road in Christ Church, a collision between a motorcyclist and a motorvan proved fatal. According to police reports, the vehicles were traveling in opposing directions when the crash occurred at the Leadvale junction. Despite being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the motorcycle rider succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident.

    Merely thirty minutes later, tragedy struck again along Crane Road in St Philip. At around 3:45 PM, a bicyclist and motorvan collided while both traveling toward Rices. The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, marking the second fatality within an hour.

    These recent incidents follow earlier deadly crashes this month. A two-vehicle collision on Carrington Road in St Philip claimed two lives, while St Michael recorded another fatality when a pedestrian was struck by a truck near Kensington Oval on President Kennedy Drive.

    Barbados Police Service has launched comprehensive investigations into all cases. Authorities are urgently appealing to the public to exercise heightened caution and adhere to traffic regulations as the nation grapples with this alarming pattern of road tragedies.

  • Three parties join under PCP banner to contest Feb 11 election

    Three parties join under PCP banner to contest Feb 11 election

    In a significant realignment of Barbados’ political landscape, three major political entities have formally united to create the People’s Coalition for Progress (PCP), presenting a consolidated front for the upcoming February 11 general election. The groundbreaking alliance was officially unveiled during a live press conference, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s electoral history.

    The coalition comprises the United Progressive Party (UPP), the New National Party (NNP), and the Conservative Barbados Leadership Party, representing a substantial consolidation of political influence and voter bases. This strategic merger fundamentally alters the pre-election dynamics and potentially disrupts the traditional two-party dominance that has characterized Barbadian politics for decades.

    While specific details regarding the coalition’s internal leadership hierarchy and electoral strategy remain under development, representatives confirmed these operational particulars would be comprehensively addressed during the ongoing media briefing. Political analysts suggest this unprecedented alliance reflects growing demands for collaborative governance and could significantly influence voter distribution across constituencies. The formation signals a potential shift toward coalition politics in the Caribbean nation, with implications that may extend well beyond the imminent election cycle.

  • Bicyclist killed in St Philip road crash

    Bicyclist killed in St Philip road crash

    A tragic traffic incident in St. Philip has resulted in the death of a cyclist following a collision with a motor vehicle on Crane Road. The fatal accident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, with both the bicycle and motorvan traveling in the direction of Rices when the impact happened.

    Emergency services responded to the scene where the cyclist, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced deceased at the location despite medical efforts. The circumstances leading to the collision remain under active investigation by local authorities.

    Law enforcement officials from District C Police Station have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Investigators are particularly interested in speaking with potential witnesses who may have observed the events leading to or surrounding the collision.

    The police department has issued a public appeal for information, urging anyone with relevant details to come forward and assist with their inquiries. Community members who may have witnessed the incident or have any information are encouraged to contact District C Police Station directly at 416-8200.

    This incident marks another sobering reminder of road safety concerns involving vulnerable road users and motor vehicles. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this fatal outcome.

  • From desert to tundra: Jaryd Niles Morris’ Arctic pilgrimage

    From desert to tundra: Jaryd Niles Morris’ Arctic pilgrimage

    Tracy Moore

    Barbadian visual artist Jaryd Niles Morris is preparing for an extraordinary artistic expedition to the Arctic Circle in June 2027, having been selected for an internationally acclaimed artist residency program that challenges participants to create work addressing Arctic themes with global significance.

    This polar journey represents the latest chapter in Morris’s transformative artistic evolution, following profound residencies in Senegal and Morocco during 2024 that fundamentally reshaped his creative perspective. His Sahara Desert experience at Café Tissardmine—an artist residency embedded within an Amazigh (Berber) community—proved particularly impactful. “It reset me as a person,” Morris reflects. “Immersing myself within a community that has persevered through millennia of colonial pressure heightened my awareness of my Caribbean identity.”

    This awakened consciousness continued during his Senegalese residency, where Morris observed how cultural symbols and belief systems are actively preserved. “African communities maintain powerful connections to their cultural foundations through physical artifacts that constantly reaffirm their values,” he notes. This starkly contrasted with his Barbadian context, where he perceives traditional folk elements sometimes drifting toward entertainment rather than meaningful cultural remembrance.

    These comparative cultural observations have directly inspired Morris’s Arctic project: the creation of a groundbreaking cultural character rooted in Caribbean values, environmental stewardship, and collective responsibility. This modern figure—conceived as a cultural vehicle rather than policy document—aims to embed conservation awareness directly into Caribbean cultural consciousness.

    “We cherish our beaches and environment,” Morris explains. “This character will encapsulate ideals of activism and ocean conservation, bringing these priorities to the cultural forefront. The goal is integrating conservation into daily life through cultural means.”

    Originally discovering the Arctic residency opportunity online, Morris initially felt unprepared until his North African experiences provided the conceptual foundation. “Ironically, Morocco triggered the ideas now carrying me from desert to tundra,” he observes.

    Envisioned as a regional collaboration, the project will involve artists across the Caribbean, reflecting Morris’s commitment to pan-Caribbean cultural development. “We share history but not necessarily shared reality,” he notes, emphasizing his desire to create “a Caribbean project, not just Barbadian.”

    Morris describes his upcoming Arctic journey as essentially spiritual: “This is a pilgrimage. A Caribbean envoy traveling to the Arctic to witness and comprehend.” During his two-to-three-week residency, his sole expectation remains that the resulting work generates positive global impact.

  • Ministry defends sargassum removal methods amid criticism

    Ministry defends sargassum removal methods amid criticism

    The Barbados Ministry of Environment and National Beautification has publicly justified its operational protocols for sargassum seaweed extraction from coastal areas following mounting critiques across digital platforms regarding its beach rehabilitation initiatives. Official communications from the ministry elaborate that the Sargassum Seaweed Project constitutes a structured governmental response to the persistent accumulation of algal biomass along the nation’s coastline. This ecological initiative has engaged substantial local workforce participation through systematically coordinated cleansing operations over consecutive annual cycles. According to the ministry’s disclosure, the extraction methodology incorporates a multi-phase, rigorously supervised procedure engineered to equilibrate recreational beach accessibility with ecological conservation imperatives. The implemented techniques specifically aim to conserve critical natural ecosystems while ensuring protective measures for endangered marine turtle species and broader biodiversity preservation along Barbados’ shores.

  • New Party: Reform Barbados enters political arena

    New Party: Reform Barbados enters political arena

    Barbados’ political arena witnesses a significant development with the establishment of Reform Barbados, a new political entity aiming to disrupt the longstanding dominance of the two major parties. Founded by Steve Prescott, a British-Barbadian employment rights attorney, the party positions itself as a viable alternative to the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP).

    Prescott, who holds Barbadian citizenship, revealed his strategy to contest all 30 parliamentary seats in upcoming elections, potentially running solo initially if necessary. While his specific constituency remains undecided, he indicated a likely candidacy in Christ Church’s Parish Land area, his late father’s former residence before emigrating to the UK in the 1960s.

    The party leader demonstrates unwavering confidence despite historical challenges faced by third parties in Barbadian politics. “I will face that by having a message and real policy change that Barbadians have been crying out for,” Prescott stated in an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY. He attributes previous third-party failures to inadequate messaging and lack of longevity rather than voter receptiveness.

    Reform Barbados distinguishes itself through methodical policy development. Prescott emphasized that all proposed policies, developed over two years, will undergo rigorous economic validation before implementation. “Policy execution is the big number one,” he contended. “You can have all the ideas in the world, and if you don’t know how to execute properly, you’re not going to make any change.”

    The party’s formation stems from Prescott’s profound concern about Barbados’ socioeconomic stagnation. After examining the island’s development since independence and observing minimal progress in living standards and infrastructure over four decades, he concluded that “as a country, we need to do better.” This conviction inspired the party’s dual slogan: “We’ve got to do better at being better… we’ve got to be better at doing better.”

    Symbolism plays a crucial role in the party’s identity, with its logo featuring a broken trident above a crown—a design inspired by stained-glass artwork created by Prescott’s father in a UK church. While already engaging voters through social media and personal interactions, Reform Barbados plans official public launch events alongside the publication of its economically-vetted manifesto in the near future.

  • Elections on February 11, PM announces

    Elections on February 11, PM announces

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley declared the dissolution of Parliament on Saturday evening, setting the stage for a swift general election scheduled for February 11th. The announcement came following her formal consultation with President Jeffrey Bostic and subsequent directives to election officials to commence immediate preparations.

    Addressing supporters in Bridgetown after the nomination of former Democratic Labour Party Cabinet minister Michael Lashley as the Barbados Labour Party candidate, Mottley revealed her late-afternoon meeting with the President. She confirmed that election writs would be formally issued following approval by the Attorney General’s office.

    The Prime Minister outlined a compressed electoral timetable, with Nomination Day established for January 27th and Polling Day scheduled for February 11th. This accelerated timeline presents significant logistical challenges for both election authorities and political organizations requiring rapid mobilization.

    Mottley framed the parliamentary dissolution as an exercise in democratic renewal, emphasizing that continuing leadership requires fresh electoral mandates. She invoked unifying rhetoric, repeatedly urging party cohesion with calls for strength and collective effort.

    The Prime Minister simultaneously highlighted recent legislative achievements, specifically referencing parliamentary action that established property ownership rights for residents of housing estates. This initiative, described as fulfilling previous commitments, effectively transferred titles to over 200 citizens just prior to the election announcement.

    The dissolution marks the beginning of an intensive three-week campaign period that will test both electoral infrastructure and political mobilization capabilities across the island nation.

  • Mottley rings bell for early polls

    Mottley rings bell for early polls

    Prime Minister Mia Mottley has officially declared that Barbados will conduct a general election on February 19th, initiating the democratic process months ahead of the constitutional mandate. The announcement was delivered during a Barbados Labour Party nomination ceremony at Westbury Primary School, where senior attorney Michael Lashley KC received formal confirmation as the party’s candidate for Bridgetown. This nomination completes the ruling party’s full roster of candidates for all 30 constituencies in the parliamentary system. The dissolution of Parliament will immediately commence the election period, with Nomination Day scheduled for January 27th. This strategic move to advance the electoral timeline represents a significant political calculation by the incumbent administration, potentially aiming to capitalize on current economic and social conditions. The election will determine the leadership direction for the Caribbean nation amid ongoing regional challenges and global economic uncertainties. International observers are monitoring the electoral process as Barbados continues to strengthen its democratic institutions following its transition to a parliamentary republic.

  • Lashley secures BLP nomination to represent The City

    Lashley secures BLP nomination to represent The City

    In a significant political development, Michael Lashley has been formally confirmed as the Barbados Labour Party’s uncontested candidate for The City of Bridgetown constituency. The election, which concluded on Saturday without opposition, positions the seasoned attorney for a crucial role in the party’s electoral strategy.

    Addressing supporters during his acceptance address, Lashley expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming endorsement from both constituency residents and senior party leadership. ‘I am truly humbled by the confidence placed in me,’ stated Lashley, acknowledging the significance of this political mandate.

    The newly selected candidate extended particular appreciation to constituents of St Philip North, recognizing their sustained backing throughout his dual career in legal practice and public service. Lashley emphasized his philosophical approach to governance, declaring: ‘My political engagements stem from genuine commitment rather than electoral calculations. Politics represents service above all.’

    In a compelling conclusion to his remarks, Lashley formally signaled his readiness to Prime Minister Mia Mottley with the declarative statement: ‘This is Michael Lashley reporting for duty.’ This ceremonial phrasing underscores his alignment with the current administration and reinforces party unity ahead of forthcoming electoral contests.