November 18, 2009

The production of sugar should remain, even be improved, in spite of Barbados’ continuing battle with a global recession, parliamentarian Denis Kellman told the House of Assembly yesterday.

Kellman believes the Government should take a renewed look at how to maximize all productive sectors, especially agriculture and manufacturing, so that they could remain competitive and survival ready.

The Member of Parliament for St. Lucy made the comments while debating a resolution to grant the sum of $68 million from the Consolidated Fund and place it at the disposal of Government to supplement the 2009-2010 Estimates.

Kellman said it was time the Barbados Agricultural Management Company (BAMC) be better utilized to help small farmers who could afford certain amenities.

“The BAMC has the capacity, the technology and the equipment to help small farmers, and can help in reducing costs,” Kellman noted. “We have to protect our productive sectors, and I believe the BAMC should assist by allowing small farmers to use their equipment during the out of crop season.”

“We have to be astute about reducing costs, and we as a Government have to find ways to do it. We have to ensure the economy is brought back to the state it should have been at years ago regarding our productive sectors,” he added.

Kellman also said that the previous Government had made the mistake of exporting jobs and not protecting products, but the Democratic Labour Party administration had no intention of falling into such a practice. (BA) (NATION NEWS)