Hydroponics Project Supports School Gardens at the Victory Center and Cedar Grove Primary School by Tyreke Thomas-Horsford

Antigua and Barbuda, September 22, 2026 — The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), working with government entities and private partners, continued activities under a hydroponics project at the Victory Center and Cedar Grove Primary School on Tuesday, September 22.

The activities form part of the Sustainable Agricultural Community Outreach and Food Security Programme, which uses agricultural technologies to strengthen school gardens and support food security. Funding was provided by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Ms. Natalia Lawrence is the donor agency’s representative in Antigua and Barbuda.

IICA has spearheaded the project and overseen its implementation. Mr. Craig Thomas of IICA highlighted the role the project will play at both schools by giving students and staff opportunities to learn about growing food through hydroponics.

At the Victory Center, seedlings of thyme, parsley, lettuce and kale were transplanted into the hydroponics system. Transplanting had been delayed because prolonged El Niño related drought conditions reduced the reliable rainfall available for irrigation. The system requires fresh water with low electrical conductivity, within a range of 0.00 to 0.30.

Activities will continue this week with training in seedling and nursery management at both schools, as well as the transplanting of seedlings into the hydroponics system at Cedar Grove Primary School.

IICA continues to coordinate and implement the project with support from donor agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture, other government ministries and private sector partners.