The long-awaited Hope Agricultural Training Institute in St Lucy is already operational, with short courses now under way and a full roll-out scheduled for September as Barbados intensifies efforts to strengthen food security and reduce the island’s heavy dependence on imported food.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security Dr Shantal Munro-Knight told a Nation team the project remained firmly on track and was already beginning to serve Barbadians interested in agriculture and agri-business.

“Hope is on. Courses have actually started and full roll-out would begin from September, but a number of different short courses are starting. From the ministry’s perspective, we are working on standing up the greenhouse facilities that are there as well and working to build up the full agricultural and farming facility there. Hope is ready and working.”