The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is questioning the government’s decision to convert approximately 80 acres of farmland at Vineyard, St Philip, into one of Barbados’ largest affordable housing developments, arguing that the project undermines the island’s food security goals.
The criticism comes just days after the government and private developers officially launched the Vineyard Housing Development, a joint venture between the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and Vineyard Development Inc. that will deliver about 1 100 homes over the next five to six years. House-and-land packages are expected to start at $170 000.
In a statement issued Thursday, Amoy Gilding-Bourne, the DLP spokesperson on agriculture and food security, said the project represented “yet another disheartening setback for agriculture in Barbados”.
She said: “It is deeply troubling that this government continues to sacrifice fertile agricultural land for housing developments, this time proposing to utilise approximately 80 acres of prime agricultural land to construct 1 100 houses.”
Gilding-Bourne argued that before embarking on another major housing project, the government should account for several housing developments that remain unfinished or delayed, including the Hope Housing projects at Dodds, Cliffden Hill and Brighton.
“Before embarking on yet another massive development, government owes Barbadians an explanation for these unfinished projects and the millions of taxpayer dollars already squandered,” she said.
The opposition spokesperson also challenged the administration’s description of the development as affordable housing, saying homes starting at $170 000 would remain beyond the reach of many low-income families.
“Housing starting at $170 000 simply cannot be described as affordable for many working-class families struggling under the weight of rising inflation, stagnant wages, and an ever-increasing cost of living,” she said, adding that the pricing “effectively excludes many of the very people who need affordable housing the most”.
Another concern raised by Gilding-Bourne was the loss of agricultural land, which she said directly contradicts the government’s stated commitment to improving food security.
“If we do not produce, we will perish,” she said, arguing that every acre converted to housing weakens Barbados’ ability to feed itself and increases reliance on imported food.
“Food security cannot be achieved while reducing the very land base upon which local food production depends. Every acre of fertile agricultural land lost to housing or commercial development weakens Barbados’ ability to feed itself.”
She also criticised what she described as the Ministry of Agriculture’s emphasis on public relations over practical support for farmers, citing ongoing concerns about irrigation, competition from imported pork, and a lack of progress on agricultural initiatives.
The DLP called for greater transparency over the public-private partnership, questioning whether parliamentary approval was obtained for the arrangement, how the government’s land contribution was valued, whether the property is being transferred to a special purpose vehicle, and what safeguards are in place to ensure taxpayers receive full value for the public asset.
Gilding-Bourne also called on the administration to provide updates on several agricultural programmes, including the prison farming initiative, the Black Belly sheep genetics programme, the imported heifers project and the medicinal cannabis industry.
“Barbadians deserve clear answers, measurable outcomes, and responsible stewardship of our national resources,” she said. Food security “requires vision, planning, investment, and above all, the protection of the finite agricultural lands upon which our nation’s future depends,” she added.
(SB)
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