VIDEO: Barbados Government's First Ever indoor Vertical Farming Pilot Coming Online
Barbados first-ever government indoor vertical farming pilot is currently operational and conducting its initial tests, with the goal of enhancing national food security and reducing dependence on imported food. The project is a partnership between the Barbadian Ministry of Agriculture and the Dutch company Indoor Vertical.Farm.
Key Details
Objective: To reduce Barbados' 85% dependence on imported food, create a new generation of climate-resilient farmers, and provide a consistent, high-quality local produce supply that is protected from extreme weather events.
Technology: The installation uses modular, containerized vertical farms (three units total: two for production, one for nursery/support) equipped with aeroponic systems and energy-efficient LED lighting.
Sustainability: The system is designed to be fully off-grid, powered by a solar-battery microgrid, and recycles most of the water used (up to 95% less water than traditional farming).
Status: The farm is built, and initial tests are underway using a temporary generator while awaiting a full grid connection and the complete solar solution installation.
Training and Education: A core component of the pilot is training local farmers and incorporating the technology into educational institutions and R&D centers, treating the units as "living classrooms". The Ministry has also received widespread public interest and is developing a comprehensive training schedule for all interested citizens.
Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir has described the initiative as a transformative step toward modernizing agriculture in Barbados. The project is a model for other small island nations facing similar climate and food security challenges.