Barbados Agricultural Society CEO James Paul is charging that the country’s farmers are being treated as an afterthought while the state pours resources into entertainment and tourism during the Crop Over season.
Speaking at Thursday’s Praedial Larceny Farmers’ Forum at Kensington Oval, Paul argued that it was unacceptable for farmers to be left struggling year after year as praedial larceny worsens, while millions are spent securing events and protecting tourists.
“We spend more money on Kadooment and wukking up and all that kind of foolishness . . . things that don’t even add to this country, but when it comes to something serious like farming, we [don’t act],” he said.
“You can find patrols for tourists. You can find resources to manage a fete, but somehow, when farmers are getting robbed, it’s silence. What are we saying? That farmers don’t matter?”
Paul, a former MP, stressed that his criticism was not limited to the current administration.
“All we’ve gotten over the years is lip service from the government, whether this government or the one before that. They all talk about traceability and security for farmers, and none of them delivered,” he argued.
He also took aim at the justice system, accusing it of turning a blind eye to offenders, and warned that authorities are playing games with the very industry that feeds the nation.
“There’s a double standard in this country. The people committing the crimes get sympathy, while the people being robbed get nothing. And we keep pretending everything’s fine,” he said.
Paul called for the government to increase its support, covering at least 75 per cent of the cost for farm surveillance systems, and for better enforcement of existing laws, including the newly enacted Protection of Agricultural Products Act.
While the new law is expected to give police greater authority to demand receipts and proof of ownership for produce, Paul said it will mean little if farmers remain sidelined by policymakers.
“The legislation is there, but if we don’t support it with real political will, it doesn’t make sense,” he said.
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