About the Policy

This policy came into operation in the early 1980s and is administered by the Barbados Agricultural Development Corporation or BADMC. The main purpose of the project is to facilitate and encourage the effective cultivation of smallholdings. The government implemented the Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP) to provide support facilities including irrigation feeder roads, extension services and marketing advice. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also provided advisory services in marketing and cultivation techniques. The Integrated Rural Development Project Schemes are located mainly in the low rainfall parishes of St. Philip, St. Lucy and Christ Church. In an effort to safeguard the IRDP Scheme, IRDP sites are not permitted to change their agricultural use. However, a dwelling house is permitted on each lot.