Agricultural officials and local farmers gathered at Greencastle Agriculture Station Friday morning to showcase the success of Antigua’s bilateral agricultural program with China’s Longping Institute, highlighting impressive harvests of Chinese cabbage and other vegetables grown from quality hybrid seeds.
The demonstration marked what Chief Extension Officer Owolabi Elabanjo called “another milestone” in the partnership that has been developing since 2017.
“China has one of the best quality seeds in the world today. From A to Z of any vegetable, be it corn, be it tomato, sweet pepper, chili pepper, hot pepper, just name anything,” Elabanjo told attendees during the harvest presentation,” Elabanjo said.
Lee Zhi, the Longping site manager, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort and outlined the program’s continuing mission. “Our main purpose is to continue cooperation with both sides to support the development of Antigua’s agriculture, especially the development of vegetables and fruit trees in Antigua,” he said, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing bilateral agricultural cooperation.
The Longping Institute has maintained a presence in Antigua since 2017, working with local farmers to introduce hybrid crop varieties and sustainable farming techniques. The program focuses on food security and reducing import dependence through locally-grown produce.
Local farmer Birchfield Osborne, whose backyard garden serves as an experimental station for the program, emphasized the commitment of the Chinese partners to knowledge transfer.
“The Chinese people, the Longping people, they’ve been committed to providing seeds, expertise on the ground, and they have given a lot of things to Antigua for our own development,” he said.
Osborne, a regular participant in backyard gardening competitions, noted that all seeds provided through the program are non-GMO varieties, addressing concerns about genetically modified crops while still delivering improved yields and disease resistance.
The partnership includes hands-on training in advanced techniques such as vertical trellising for melons and cucumbers, which helps prevent soil pests and rotting while improving yields. Chinese technicians regularly visit participating farms to provide guidance and troubleshoot growing challenges.
The program’s impact extends beyond backyard gardening, with some participants scaling up to commercial operations. Retired police officer Macbeth George recently returned from a three-week training program in China which focused on climate-resilient agriculture. He revealed that he has transitioned from backyard to commercial farming since learning that while Antigua is a drought-prone country, it is possible to achieve results.
George, who brings a background in genetics and science education to his farming endeavors, was selected for the China training program after completing a course at Villa Polyclinic last October. His experience demonstrates how the partnership is developing local expertise in scientific agriculture methods suited to Antigua’s challenging climate conditions.
Victor Harris, supervisor at Greencastle Agriculture Station, highlighted the program’s emphasis on sustainable farming practices. The demonstration plots showcase watermelon, pumpkin, squash, lettuce, Chinese cabbage (also known as bok choy), hot peppers, and dragon fruit, all grown with minimal chemical inputs. “The Longping is here to show that getting quality seeds can provide you good yield and good quality crops for consumption in the home without having to use chemicals,” Harris said.
The sustainable approach relies heavily on organic fertilizers and proper plant nurturing from the seedling stage through harvest, resulting in restaurant-quality vegetables that don’t require extensive chemical treatment.
