In a bid to modernise agriculture and strengthen food security, the government is investing over $200 000 in state-of-the-art vertical farming systems.
The first set of units, including three large commercial farms and three compact farms, is expected to arrive in May and become operational by June.
Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir confirmed the initiative on Tuesday, telling Barbados TODAY that the adoption of vertical farming represents a major step toward increasing local food production and reducing reliance on imports.
“We are bringing in these systems as part of a broader strategy to use technology to enhance food security,” Weir said. “With vertical farming, we can grow high-quality produce year-round, minimising the impact of adverse climatic conditions and ensuring greater consistency in supply.”
With Barbados facing mounting challenges from climate change, including prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, the government sees vertical farming as a key pillar in the country’s transition to climate-smart agriculture. The technology-driven approach enables crops to be grown in controlled environments, reducing water consumption and safeguarding yields from extreme weather events.
Weir pointed out that vertical farming also helps address long-standing issues in traditional farming, such as praedial larceny and damage caused by monkeys.
“These systems will allow us to produce food faster, with less climate risk, and in environments that are protected from monkeys,” he said.
The government is currently implementing a national drive to ramp up production, injecting over $2 million to contract more than 100 farmers and bring unused lands back into production. He added that vertical farming would complement this national programme well.
Beyond boosting agricultural output, the initiative aims to empower a new generation of farmers and agri-preneurs.
The three compact farms will be used for training in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, while the larger commercial farms will facilitate research, trials, and hands-on training for farmers.
“This is about creating economic enfranchisement,” Weir said. “We want to ensure that young men and women interested in agriculture have access to modern tools and techniques that make farming viable and profitable.”
The Agricultural Development Fund has been set up to facilitate this type of innovation, allowing individuals to purchase the units and integrate them into their farming operations, the minister said.
Prices per unit vary, starting at just over $100 000 depending on the facility type.
Looking ahead, the minister said that the government is preparing for a second phase of the vertical farming programme, which will be entirely commercially driven.
“This phase will allow for both local and foreign investment, providing financial backing for Barbadians interested in becoming agricultural entrepreneurs,” he said.
“This isn’t just a short-term fix; it’s a long-term vision for sustainable agriculture. Phase two will enable more private-sector involvement, ensuring that vertical farming becomes a cornerstone of our agricultural development.”
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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