Barbados & China sign MOU to strengthen agricultural cooperation

A memorandum of agreement has been struck by Barbados and China with the goal of enhancing the island's agricultural capabilities.

The signing was held late April at the Graeme Hall headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Nutritional Security. For the signing, Hunan Province Governor Mao Weiming was accompanied by Minister Indar Weir.

Three memorandums of understanding have been signed between Barbados and China, allowing for the provision of two tractors, the development of advanced hydroponics management systems, and the transfer of technical experience for rice cultivation.

The agreements are between Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd. and the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC).

At the Ministry of Agriculture's Graeme Hall in Christ Church, these agreements were signed by Liu Qihua, Deputy Director-General of the Hunan Provincial Department of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Governor of the Hunan Provincial People's Government, and Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Security, Indar Weir.

Minister Weir expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its support, pointing out that the agreements were critical to the government's objectives being met. 

The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Security's Graeme Hall headquarters. At the signing, Minister Indar Weir was accompanied by Mao Weiming, the governor of Hunan Province. (Photo credit: Barbados Today)

Based on our SDG targets for 2030, we as a nation have established our goal to achieve full [food] security. Through your ambassador, the People's Republic of China has proven to be a reliable and generous partner, providing us with ample resources to support our efforts in promoting agriculture among our populace. In light of this, we are delighted with the Upland Rice Project's demonstrated success and look forward to working on its expansion into the Pine Basin, Mr. Weir stated.      

China launched the Upland Rice Project at the beginning. It supplied the project with technical support, and at BADMC's Christ Church location, rice is grown on 78 square metres of ground. The initiative has produced 128 pounds of rice thus far.  

Mao Weiming, the governor of the Hunan Provincial People's Government, said, "We are very happy to see the fruitful outcome between the cooperation of Barbados and the Agricultural Department of Hunan, as well as affiliated companies and research institutes in the upland rice planting under the greenhouse construction project.”     

Hunan is a prominent rice-producing region in central China, renowned for its advanced agricultural, artistic, and educational industries.

According to Weir, Hunan Linshi Agricultural Services, in collaboration with the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), is currently working on a prototype rice project at Fairy Valley, Christ Church, where the two organisations have already begun to collaborate.