Barbados Dairy and Beef Producers Association (BD&BPA)
The Main Objectives of the BD&BPA are as follows:
- To encourage and improve the breeding and management of cattle.
- To promote matters beneficial to the cow, milk and beef producers.
- To encourage a co-operative approach to marketing and manufacturing of produce of its members and to the importation and/or manufacture of items required for their use.
- To hold cattle shows to further the interests of dairy and stock breeding in every way
There are additional benefits, which a dairy and beef farmer can enjoy as a result of membership of the Association. The current fee for membership is nominal at best being only $40.00 per year. In addition the farmers have exposure to a range of educational and developmental seminars and workshops that the Association conducts in collaboration with the Barbados Agricultural Society. Moreover, members get to voice their concerns as an integrated group, as opposed to presenting individualistic concerns that may appear to be less important due to the number of people affected. Consequently, the ability of the industry to lobby politicians and other interests to provide greater opportunities for the industry is greatly enhanced.
The Association also negotiates on behalf of its members to obtain better prices for the products produced by the members. In addition, it is engaged in promotional efforts to increase the consumption of the products of the members through the encouragement of appropriate marketing programs.
The BD&BPA has a Board of Directors comprising the President, Vice President and five Board Members, the total number of members on the Board being seven. The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is the Secretariat for the Association and is the headquarters for its operations.
