Hon E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, AGRICULTURE, Trade and BARBUDA AFFAIRS attended Barbuda’s Independence Ceremony

Speech by the

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade & Barbuda Affairs – Honourable E.P. Chet Greene

on the occasion of CHEMICALS Awareness Week 2023

Theme: “Safe use and management of chemicals is our collective responsibility”.

My fellow Antiguans and Barbudans, it is my honor to be a part of Chemicals Awareness Week 2023, which is being observed under the theme “Safe use and management of chemicals is our collective responsibility”.

Chemical usage has become commonplace in our daily life. We utilize them for personal care and in a wide range of sectors to include Agriculture in terms of increased production of food and a multitude of applications in the health sector. Notwithstanding their many benefits, it is important that we manage them throughout their lifecycle to safeguard the health of our communities and our environment. Hence, there is an ever-present need for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to direct increasing attention to risk management actions so as to protect our citizens and our precious environment from the threats posed by toxic chemicals.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda continues to demonstrate its commitment to the development of a stronger regulatory regime, through the recent adoption of several legislative amendments. I also recognize the establishment of the pesticides and toxic chemicals Inspectorate, which allows for improved accountability and traceability of chemical products of concern throughout their lifecycle such that we may reduce their impact on our society.

Chemical importers and service providers should all strive for compliance with the Law and to engage cooperatively towards safeguarding the health of our nation.

On the occasion of Chemicals Awareness Week 2023, I wish to recognize the efforts of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board in carrying out its mandate to safeguard the health of Antiguans and Barbudans and to protect our ecosystems against the potential risk posed by the indiscriminate usage of chemicals.

I wish to pledge my Government’s continued support to the PTCCB, with the necessary resources, financial and otherwise, in its efforts at maintaining an efficient pesticide and toxic chemicals regulatory and management infrastructure and ensuring that one of the most significant sources of potential environmental contamination is effectively controlled.

I encourage the public to engage with the PTCCB to obtain information, share experiences and to become part of the process recognizing that indeed “the safe management and use of chemicals is our collective responsibility”.

I Thank You!!!

  The Management and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture extends best wishes to Mr. Paul Lucas, CARDI Representative who was recently transferred from Antigua and Barbuda to his new placement in the Caymans.

On Monday 4th September, the new CARDI Representative for Antigua/Barbuda and Monsterrat, Mr. Junior Orlando Greene and CARDI Executive Director, Mr. Ansari Hosein made a courtesy call to the Ministry of Agriculture and held discussions with Permanent Secretary Sandra Joseph.

left to right are Mr. Greene, Ms Joseph and Mr. Hosein

We are off to a fast start with this year’s hurricane season with TS Bert. Please find below some tips to securing your family and your fishing vessel for this season. Also remember to download the CAP.CAP app from the Google Play Store for those with android devices or from the Apple Store if you have an iPhone or iPad. STAY IN THE LOOP THIS HURRICANE SEASON … the app is FREE. To my colleagues in St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique, and Barbados … I am praying for you.

Ian Horsford
Chief Fisheries Officer

Minister Greene’s message on SPS Measures for Antigua & Barbuda

The Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Initiative “Cooperation for Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in the Caribbean” supports 14 countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in reducing their agrifood systems’ vulnerability to climate change and other global shocks.

As a project beneficiary, government liaison, technical partner or other project stakeholder, you play an integral role in the implementation of the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Initiative “Cooperation for Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in the Caribbean” (in short: Resilient Caribbean Initiative, RCI).  

Therefore, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Office for the Caribbean wishes to cordially invite you to attend a Knowledge Sharing Webinar, which will bring together a variety of stakeholders from the different RCI components and sub-projects across the 14 participating countries to exchange on successes, challenges, lessons learned and pathways for sustainability.  

MAFBA Headquarters staff – Tsunami Exercise 2023

Today, 23rd March 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters, Extension Division, Forestry Unit, Meat Market and Fisheries Division at the Pointe participated in the 2023 Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise spearheaded by the office of NODS. Forestry, Extension and Meat Market journeyed to Gray Hill, Fisheries to St. John’s Cathedral while Ministry’s Headquarters staff walked to  Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMSJMC).

PERMANENT SECRETARY OUT STATIONS VISITS CONTINUES.

This Morning 22nd March, Miss Sandra Joseph, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture paid visit to the field staff of the Cotton Station and Green Castle Nursery.

THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH ITS FORESTRY UNIT TODAY WILL BE COMMEMORATING “INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS” WITH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES INCLUSIVE OF RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS, A NATURE HIKE AND TREE PLANTING EVENT.

Sandra Joseph, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture made her first visit to the Cotton Station on Friday 17th March.  While there she received warm greetings from the staff.

PRESS RELEASE

Minister of Agriculture continued his ongoing engagement with farmers last Friday.

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. E.P Chet Greene continued his visits to farmers across Antigua and Barbuda on Friday where he met with farmers in the North West District.

He was accompanied by Extension Officer-Ika Fergus, Chief Extension Officer-Owolabi Elabanjo, and North West Regulatory Officer-Kenrick Francis.

They visited Neil Gomes in McKinnons, Jeanmary Adams and Serreane Carridice who both specialize in herbs, spices, and lettuce in Carisles, Abdul Sesay in Belmont, and Aziz Hadeed in Weatherills.

Minister Greene has committed to providing special attention and support to the farmers in the development of herb & spice commodities, such as; rosemary, mint, basil, and tarragon amongst others.

Get your fresh fruits and vegetables at the South West Farmer’s Market located at the entrance to Christian Valley in Jennings!

Press Release

The Government of Mexico (AMEXCID), the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have partnered in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Project (WEF) under the resilient Caribbean Initiative Project.

The goal of this initiative is to provide support to farmers in beneficiary countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, by offering access to water storage, training, and renewable energy to combat the adverse effects of climate change. To achieve this, FAO has partnered with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) to organize a series of workshops that focus on educating farmers and individuals interested in agriculture on various considerations and concepts for pursuing agriculture while dealing with current climate challenges. CARDI has done extensive research in areas such as water resource management, climate change and agriculture, risk management, water resource management, and sustainable agricultural systems.

The workshop will be facilitated by Mr. Mali Barnes, National Project Coordinator for the FAO WEF Project, and Mr. Paul Lucas, the CARDI Representative for Antigua and Barbuda. The sessions are designed for both novices and experienced farmers who may need a refresher. The workshops will run from February 20th to March 6th and will be held at the CARDI Facility in Betty’s Hope, starting at 9a.m. each day.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ONLY APPLICABLE FOR BARBUDA

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Protecting Plant Health is about more than just plants.  it’s about protecting life.  This is Plant Health Day & every day should be.  See below five (5) reasons why we need to keep our plants healthy.