The war in Ukraine has resulted in high feed prices, raw material shortages and supply chain disruptions – all of which put pressure on the animal feed industry. Recognising the impact the war in Ukraine is having on cost the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association has joined with major partners to introduce the production of locally made organic feeds using easy accessible inputs and equipment.

Executive Director of the Association explained that it is foreseen that the organic feeds produced will be used on a supplemental basis to traditional feeds and is expected to ease farmers’ production cost.  Executive Director of the Association explained that the project creates an environment where all market players can work together to solve a challenge in the best interest of the consumer. Ms. Boyce stated: “the first implementation phase of the project will focus on training farmers and/or small manufacturers to produce organic feeds. The overall aim of the workshop is to engage in home grown strategies to diversify manufacturing in a sustainable and innovative manner which hopefully can translate into cost savings for farmers, creation of opportunities for ordinary Barbadians. We do not have to depend on imported solutions and strategies to the issues we face as a nation but we can strategize in a manner that benefits all players and ultimately save consumers cost.”

Major partners in this initiative includes the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, UNICOMER (Barbados) Ltd, Equip 4 You and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Participants of the workshop will benefit from training in animal feed nutrition in feed manufacturing, including practical feed manufacturing demonstrations.

The Barbados Manufacturers’ Association recognises that funding in the current environment is also needed to support entrepreneurs who may want to pursue feed manufacturing therefore partnering with a financial institution like Ready Finance was important. They will be at the workshop to present to participants financial opportunities and facilitate on the spot finance sign up.

The workshop is free of cost and will be held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Animal Planning Unit in the Pine Basin St. Michael. Persons who are interested in attending can call 426-4474 or email admin@bma.bb.