Prominent Bahamian farmers have decried the "chronic" mismanagement and lack of basic supplies at crucial agricultural institutions in Nassau following a change in management.
According to Guardian Business sources, the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has experienced severe problems in managing the Feed Mill, Fish and Farm Store, the Abattoir and Produce Exchange after assuming managerial responsibilities from the Ministry of Agriculture in July.
The Fish and Farm Store, located on Potter's Cay, has reportedly lacked necessary supplies, including fertilizers, pesticides and even basic seeds up until last week. This has proved particularly harmful as local farmers prepare to plant for the winter season in the coming weeks.
"This is the beginning of the planting season, there were no seeds and no chemicals... It's a chronic problem," claimed one source.
The Produce Exchange, which handles produce shipping across the country, has experienced similar problems that have resulted in substantial losses for farmers.
"Last week, three huge coolers of Cat Island watermelons were left to rot at the Produce Exchange. They were on the dock in Cat Island for two or three days and then they were [placed] in the coolers that don't work in Nassau."
One farmer argued that the industry continues to suffer despite repeated assurances from government officials, including the prime minister, stating, "There's [so] much ego around the table that no one remembers the farmer".
The Feed Mill additionally experienced significant delays, resulting in farmers being unable to receive feed for livestock over the holiday weekend. Minister of Agriculture V. Alfred Gray assured farmers earlier this year that the new management at the hands of BAIC would decrease wait times for livestock feed and streamline the process.
However, the management and resource concerns are only the most recent challenges facing The Bahamas' embattled agricultural sector. Several farmers have spoken out against the potential impact of value-added tax on local produce, arguing that it would cause prices to rise considerably.
"VAT is already on us...We're not protected under VAT, so if VAT is being introduced, of course the cost of vegetables will go up," stated one source.
However, other farmers have suggested that VAT could actually benefit local farmers by encouraging shoppers to buy locally-grown produce over imported goods.
The concerns come ahead of next month's scheduled opening of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). The government has invested an estimated $20 million in the North Andros-based institute, which aims to reduce Bahamian dependence on imported produce.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian