The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is expected to take over management of the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC) “some time this month”, officials  confirmed yesterday, with the facility to take on a new development model.

In a statement, BAMSI said: “Some time this month, the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute will take over the management of GRAC, as the Government will view the Centre in the future as an extension of BAMSI’s work in Andros.”

It added: “The manufacture of feed by the feed mill is now the responsibility of the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC).

“While the mill is located on the same site as GRAC, the responsibility for its operation is that of BAIC. Under BAMSI, GRAC will take on a new development model which will reflect research, training and extension. There will also be an Urban Agriculture Centre.”

BAMSI reported last month that Dr Jason Sands would assume the role of chief operating officer at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC).

Bahamian farmers speaking to Tribune Business this week blamed a “bad feed batch” from the Gladstone Road Agriculture Centre (GRAC) for recent pig deaths, with one telling Tribune Business he had lost close to 50 pigs and more than $35,000 as a result.

Sources say that 40 adult hogs and scores of suckling pigs at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre (GRAC) piggery have died within the past two months as a result.

The BAIC Feed Mill has been shut down for nearly three weeks, intensifying the economic hardship experienced by farmers last year, as they have to purchase feed at retail prices from local distributors, essentially paying double the cost for half the amount.