1. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
GROWING FOOD & TOURISTS
A QUEST FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN BARBADOS
Roxanne Waithe
Agrotourism Specialist
Roxanne.Waithe@iica.int

2. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
GROWING FOOD
IICA provides technical cooperation, innovation
and specialized knowledge to contribute to the
competitive and sustainable development of
agriculture in Barbados, and to improve the lives
of rural people.

3. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
IICA’S STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
 Improve agricultural productivity, competiveness and
market access.
 Contribute to enhancement of food and nutrition security
and poverty reduction.
 Contribute to improvement of the technology and
innovation system in the region.
 Promote the sustainable management of the
environment including climate change effects.
 Strengthen organizational capacity.
 Access external funding through joint projects

4. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
IICA TECHNICAL PROGRAMS
Natural
resource
management &
climate change
Agriculture,
territories &
rural well being
Agribusiness
&
Commercialization
Agricultural
Innovation
Agricultural
Health &
Food Safety
Agriculture
& Food
Security

5. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
NATIONAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROGRAMME 2013
AHFS
Sanitary and phytosanitary
(SPS) project to improve
trade in agriculture &
fisheries which meet
international standards
while protecting plant,
animal and human health
and the environment.
• Cariforum countries
• EU-funded $11.7M

6. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
BARBADOS BLACKBELLY SHEEP & SMALL RUMINANT PROJECTS
Agribusiness
Improving the competitiveness
and the sustainability of the
Barbados Blackbelly Sheep
production in Barbados.
• Canadian High Commission
• CDN $50,000
Improving the Competitiveness of
the Small Ruminant Sub-sector
through the Development of the
National Grading Standards and
enhanced Market Intelligence
• IICA initiative

7. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
GROWING TOURISTS
Agrotourism is a cross-cutting area that concerns how
food is produced and used in relation to rural lifestyles,
activities and locations.
When farmers and agri-processors make agribusiness deals with the hotel and
restaurant sector to supply them with produce and processed foods
Through the use of alternative ‘bush‘ medicines, natural remedies and organic
treatments to enhance health and wellness
By sharing our agricultural heritage with others through media such as craft, visits to
old plantations or agricultural museums
Through our local food festivals and culinary traditions
With farm-based activities such as rural bed & breakfasts and farm tours
Through community-based initiatives such as village fairs, rum shop tours and
community markets

8. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
IICA AGROTOURISM INITIATIVES – BARBADOS (2013)
National
Agrotourism
Committee
Cabinet paper
Agrotourism
Policy
Tourism
Master Plan
for Barbados
Grapefruit &
Molasses
Foodies (CBO)

9. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
AGROTOURISM – TERRITORIAL APPROACH
Grapefruit
& Molasses
Foodies Inc.
Small Bus.
Mgt. & Food
Processing
Agrotourism
event
Expand
farmers’
market
Work with government agencies, CBOs and NGOs to formulate
and execute policies, strategies & investments in agriculture
Build capacity in rural areas where family agriculture is
predominant by introducing innovation and technology

10. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY – REALITY CHECK
LEAKAGES
Food
Imports
US$700M
Tourists
500,000
Pop.
250,000
• High labour and
production costs
• Volatile and vulnerable
tourism economy
• Limited export potential
• Linkages between the
food production sector
and tourism are as low
as 10-30%

11. Presentation to Coventry University• April 26th 2013
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What does sustainability mean
for us here in Barbados?
2. How do we develop productive,
functional and sustainable
linkages between the
agriculture and tourism sectors?
3. What strengths do we have in
agriculture and tourism to use
as leverage to promote national
sustainable development?