Barbados is currently facing a milk shortage. Unfortunately, no one can reasonably explain why we have a milk shortage. The working theory is “supply issues” but that doesn’t sufficiently answer the question as to why there is no local milk. The Ministry of Agriculture doesn’t seem to be equipped to resolve the milk shortage. The Barbados Agricultural Society cannot resolve the milk shortage.
In December 2024, sometime interesting happened. Several cows arrived in Barbados from Canada to “increase local milk production” (https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/12/04/cows-arrive-to-help-boost-local-milk-production/). Yet, in March 2025 we are still waiting for the abundance of local milk on our supermarket shelves.
It is indeed a sad thing that in 2025 we continue to borrow millions of dollars but still cannot get certain things right in Barbados. But our current milk shortage is actually a sign of the steady decline of our agricultural sector. Barbados was once seen as the gem of the Caribbean but now we are losing our brightness. Barbados was once the land flowing with milk and honey. Gone are the days when our school children had milk to drink. Gone are the days of malted milk. Now we are depending on cows from Canada and milk from other countries.
Men and women, boys and girls in this country are waiting for Barbados to be restored to its former glory. It is time for us to stop placing Agriculture on the back burner in this country. It is time for us to have pride in our people who work hard everyday to provide food for this country. It is time for Barbados to be flowing with milk and honey again.