EU opens banana headquarters in Barbados
News from the Caribbean states that the EU's recent grant of $20.7 million will go towards the revitalisation of the All Island Banana Grower's Association. This is the sole banana grower's association in the region, but it has been inactive in recent years.
The report said the capital injection will reposition the association to, among other things, develop a structured marketing system to allow it to compete in promoting a range of value added products. The project is also said to be a precursor to the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) which is slated to get underway in 2013.
Grethel Sessing, president of the AIBGA, was said to have explained that this intervention will result in improved support services to farmers that will redound to the benefit of their families and communities.
She was quoted saying: "We expect that within the next two to three years, the AIBGA should see stronger and more coherent district branches, area councils and vibrant growers' organisation better able to respond to their needs and improved material supply outlets."
While the one-year project will be implemented by the AIBGA, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and European Union Banana Support Programme, with the Banana Board and other stakeholders, will provide support.
Sessing used the occasion to challenge Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke to use his office to lobby for a market for agricultural produce, in much the same way as the island's tourism product is marketed internationally.
Source:
