Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Authority (BMCLA), Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, has given the assurance that small farmers will be accommodated in this island’s medicinal cannabis industry.
Speaking during a virtual press conference on the Zoom platform, Dr Munro-Knight said this commitment, which was given by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir, was about making sure small farmers were facilitated throughout.
While she pointed out that in applying to the BMCLA they did not need to have land and other things in place, the CEO said they could apply to the Authority and signal interest in participating under the FEED programme.
Dr Munro-Knight said: “They will be given some technical input as well, so for instance, assistance with irrigation, assistance with pesticides, fertilizers, etc., free. They would have access to technical persons as well who would work alongside with them. So, we are starting that as a pilot programme with five acres available.”
Pointing out that five acres did not mean five farmers, the CEO added: “So, if people can get together that would mean 10 farmers or 15 farmers working on that five-acre lot and being able to be provided with those inputs, free of cost. And, this is being facilitated through the Ministry.”
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