Farmers are to receive increased government support to tackle rising production costs, climate-related losses, and crop and livestock theft, finance minister Ryan Straughn announced on Monday in the Budget speech in the House of Assembly.
Among the measures are expanded rebates for farm security systems and financial support to help poultry farmers address heat stress that continues to cause heavy losses across the sector.
“Extreme heat is the cause of massive deaths in the poultry sector. Hundreds of thousands of chickens die due to extreme temperatures and heat stress annually,” Straughn told the House, adding: “This severely impacts small farmers, with limited infrastructure resulting in substantial economic loss.”
To mitigate the problem, Government will introduce the following support measures:
- A 100 per cent rebate of up to $15 000 from April 1 for small farmers installing heat-reduction systems such as specialised reflective paint in poultry housing.
- The rebate will apply for two years, after which it will shift to 50 per cent every three years.
Support to combat praedial larceny will also increase:
- The farm security rebate ceiling will rise from $10 000 to $15 000 from 1 April 2026.
- The programme provides 50 per cent rebates for approved security systems including cameras and electronic monitoring equipment.
“This system may be physical, electrical, electronic or any other kind which does not breach the laws of Barbados and meets the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.
The measure forms part of broader enforcement efforts under the Protection of Agricultural Products Act and will involve closer cooperation with the Barbados Police Service.
Additional agricultural incentives include support for the apiculture sector and sustainable farming inputs:
- A 50 per cent rebate on approved apiary inputs of up to $5 000 per year from April 1, covering beehives, frames, foundations, smokers, and hive tools.
- Government support for the development and commercial distribution of locally produced honey and exploration of locally manufactured protective clothing for beekeepers in collaboration with Export Barbados.
- An annual rebate of up to $5 000 for initiatives that utilise organic materials for fertiliser and plant and animal inputs, aimed at reducing reliance on imported chemical inputs and lowering long-term production costs.
(SZB)
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