The government has announced plans to significantly boost domestic food production, with a major focus on expanding agricultural operations at Diamonds Estate, amid growing concerns about global food security.
During his weekend radio programme, Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized the critical importance of increasing local food production, particularly given emerging global uncertainties.
“We have to take our issue of food security even more seriously. We have to grow more food,” Browne stated. “If you can’t feed yourselves, or if we can’t feed ourselves, we will be extremely vulnerable. What if the United States, for whatever reason — maybe because of some internal issue or some external threat –decided to stop the exportation of food?”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the nation’s significant food import bill, noting that trade with the United States alone amounts to approximately half a billion US dollars annually, including non-food items.
“Just imagine if the food boats do not come here for any extended period … If you observe, whenever the food boats are late a few days, the supermarket shelves are practically empty,” Browne added.
During Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Chief of Staff Ambassador Lionel Hurst detailed government’s plans for Diamonds Estate. He revealed that while 80 acres are currently fenced for agricultural use, the government aims to make an additional 120 acres available to farmers.
“We want to ensure that we can increase production just in case there is some cut-off or some reduction in supplies,” Hurst stated, adding that Antigua and Barbuda has demonstrated success in achieving self-sufficiency in specific sectors, such as egg production.
However, Hurst noted there was a definite challenge to increase local food production because while “there’s enough farmland, there aren’t enough farmers, and farmers with expertise.”
He indicated that the government hopes to address this issue through Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Forum for Youth (ABAFY), which will establish training programmes targeting youth involvement in agriculture.
