The price of produce is set to rise should there be prolonged drought in Barbados.
Chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society James Paul said they were concerned about the recent predictions from the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS).
“Some parts of Barbados are rain-fed, so, certainly in those parts, you can have a situation where, if you don’t have any water, you can’t grow. So, it means you won’t get the production you would normally get in those areas.
“Second thing, if you don’t get adequate rainfall to recharge the aquifers and the water levels in the wells drop too low, you get a situation where less water is available to farms for growing crops. Less water means less production and if you have less production, then prices would adjust in line with that for local vegetables and prices will increase,” he said.
In its monthly climate outlook newsletter for May, the BMS said the precipitation outlook indicated below to near-average rainfall was expected for much of the wet season.
“Given that low rainfall totals were recorded in April and May and the expectation of below to near-average rainfall for much of the wet season, concerns for drought remain elevated.”
An Agricultural Drought Warning remains in place for June and July, with an Agricultural Drought Watch thereafter. BWA (Barbados Water Authority) reports that the current state of available water resources is as expected for the end of the Dry Season; however, the alert level has been elevated to Hydrological Drought Warning for the early wet season . ..
“Agricultural and Hydrological Drought Warnings are in effect for June and July. The annual heat season has begun, and warmer-than-normal nighttime temperatures will persist. El Niño conditions are expected in the coming months, becoming strong to very strong by the peak of the wet and hurricane seasons. Members of the public are urged to continue to conserve water, regardless of the drought alert level, to adhere to the guidance of all relevant agencies and to monitor the BWA, the BMS forecast and seasonal outlooks, and other local agencies for updates.”
Added to this, the BWA in a release yesterday evening stated worldwide atmospheric predictions suggested moderate to strong El Niño conditions by July–September 2026, which typically suppressed wet-season rainfall in Barbados and raised the risk of hydrological drought and operational water supply stress by late 2026.
Efficient water use
Paul said droughts could not easily be planned for, so it was up to farmers to ensure they used water efficiently.
“To continue production at a certain level, you would need a certain amount of water, which you cannot compromise on, whether it be livestock or plants. I know that historically, what we have tried to do in terms of plants, for instance, is to use those economical irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation. And of course, to use the soil tensiometers to assess the level of moisture in the soil.
“Farmers try to capture water and even prefer to but what is clear is this: as we go into the season, livestock needs potable water. So once the aquifers are not compromised in any way by too low levels, they should be all right,” he said.
Paul advised farmers to provide shade for their animals and not to plant crops which were heavily reliant on water.
In the release, BWA director of engineering, Charles Leslie, said: “If the climate predictions are realised for the coming months, Barbados is expected to enter the 2026 wet season with weakened groundwater reserves and have the usual or less rainfall during the early wet season.”
Weekly monitoring
The BWA stated it would implement weekly monitoring of groundwater levels and salinity for key wellfields; prepare abstraction rotation and blending plans for vulnerable coastal wells; accelerate leakage reduction and pressure management in high-loss zones; expand its temporary storage capacity; issue monthly drought status updates aligned and escalate its water conservation messaging, encouraging householders to begin or continue to practice water conservation.
Farmers in River Plantation, St Philip had severe water issues.
One farmer, who requested anonymity, declared agriculture was “done in Barbados”.
“All now my water tanks empty. We already have nuff losses, and it will be worse if there’s a drought like the people saying,” he said.
He lost 15 rows of cantaloupes, 22 rows of bell squash, 22 beds of potatoes, 38 rows of pumpkins and 22 rows of golden lady melons. He said the St Philip farmers had been abandoned by Government, chastising the management of Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Shantal Munro-Knight.
In Spring Hall, St Lucy “Tall Man” said he was accustomed to droughts and would work to suit. He said excess water was also bad, so he was happy with whatever water he received.
Produce retailer, “Mikey”, said the farmers he bought from received water from Government and would be rationed if things got bad, adding certain items like lettuce and beans were already scarce. (CA)
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