The island’s premier agricultural exhibition was hailed as a resounding success on its first day but its chief organiser voiced concerns over the lack of student participation, calling on the Ministry of Education to ensure that future events allow for greater youth engagement.
Celebrating 19 years of Agrofest, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, said that the event has matured into a premier agricultural showcase, fostering invaluable industry relationships and career opportunities for young people.
“Agrofest has played a crucial role in shaping careers,” Paul said.
“Some of the top chefs in our hotels today started right here, testing their skills in our cooking competitions. Many of our successful farmers were first introduced to agriculture at this very event.”
The festival continues to expand, with record-breaking animal exhibits this year.
“We have some of the best livestock exhibits we’ve ever had,” he said.
“The boer goat is back in and we’ve seen more entries in sheep, cattle, and pigs than expected. It’s truly one of the strongest years for our animal showcase.”
But Paul raised concerns over the lack of student attendance, attributing this to the scheduling of the mid-term break on the same weekend as Agrofest.
“For the past two years, the midterm break has fallen during Agrofest,” he said. “Everybody knows that Agrofest takes place on the last weekend in February.
The question is: why has the Ministry of Education scheduled a break at a time when students could be here, engaging in an event that could shape their careers?”
He emphasised that many students are missing out on crucial exposure to the diverse careers in agriculture.
“Some parents simply cannot bring their children, even on weekends, because they are working,” Paul explained. “We are robbing this nation’s children of a valuable opportunity.”
He called for immediate action to rectify the issue for Agrofest 2026, urging the government to demonstrate its commitment to youth development.
“If we are serious about youth engagement in agriculture, we must ensure that students can attend Agrofest,” he insisted.
“I am putting pressure on the Ministry of Education and the government to make this happen.”
Despite the reduced student turnout, Paul applauded the six secondary schools that participated in the BAS Cooking Invitational, a competition that showcases culinary skills using local produce.
“It is heartening to see young people eager to participate,” he said. “This competition proves that students are interested in agriculture, food security, and culinary arts. We must nurture this enthusiasm.”
Looking ahead, Paul gave an assurance that Agrofest 2026 will be bigger and better, reinforcing the event’s role in national food security, youth education, and agricultural advancement.
“We started Agrofest to help people understand the importance of local food and sustainability,” he stated. “It is more than just an exhibition—it is an opportunity to shape Barbados’ agricultural future.”
(SZB)
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