Dear Ideas4Barbados,

I am probably speaking from a position of ignorance as to the policies restricting residential use on land designated for agricultural use. It seems to me that the restrictions encourage large scale land ownership and may be reflective of a vestige of the plantocracy in the days when sugar was king.

My suggestion is for the Planning Office to consider designating certain agricultural areas for use as farming cooperatives.  The Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business already has a separate legal animal for these cooperatives under CAP378A.  This is merely an expansion of the use of these entities which, once licensed (and regulated) by the Ministry of Agriculture, the landowner can create, based on density criteria set by Planning Office, a number of lots.  These lots are not subdivided legally, but are allocated with chattel houses which can be occupied 1 household per house plus X acreage for farming purposes.  The arrangement is for a set term of 5-7 years.  Everyone trades under the Cooperative Society, even encouraged to have a marketplace on site.  This may encourage young, entrepreneurial Barbadians to enter into agricultural holdings, agricultural business, at low risk to them, while giving them the security of a home for their families.

I am confident that you continue to receive numerous valuable suggestions from the public of Barbados who, like me, are anxious and excited to see and experience the growth that this nation will see.

All the best,

Faye