By Fabian Belgrave
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Barbados and Mexico will soon develop a framework for an agriculture agreement.
This was disclosed during a recent courtesy call between the minister of agriculture, food and nutritional security, Indar Weir, and ambassador of Mexico to Barbados, Víctor Hugo Morales Meléndez, at the ministry’s headquarters, Graeme Hall, Christ Church.
Ambassador Meléndez, in outlining his vision for a successful relationship with the island, expressed the hope that he could “do more for the agriculture sector in Barbados”.
He highlighted that Mexico, through the Food and Agriculture Organization and with the support of CARICOM, developed a programme where farmers in the Caribbean can benefit from rainwater harvesting systems, solar pumping systems, efficient irrigation systems, and training in best solutions for farming. He also noted that it had seen the donation of 1,000-gallon storage tanks throughout the region.
Minister Weir, in acknowledging the long-standing relationship between the two countries, thanked the ambassador for his country’s initiative. He stated that: “Barbados would like to tap into those resources”, noting that the programme included technical teams to help with citrus production, increasing pig production and access to cheaper grain and fertilizers which could benefit this island.
During the meeting the two officials also discussed issues related to exporting produce, geographical indicators for rum, and crop insurance.
Barbados and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1972.
