FAO representatives visited Antigua for assessment

During the period of June 26th to June 30th, representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) made a visit to Antigua to assess the state of readiness for the optimization of protected structures for the six (6) beneficiaries as part of the FAO technical cooperation programme (TCP) in connection with the FAO Innovative Protected Cultivation Systems Project (TCP/SLC/3801). This initiative is one of four projects currently being supported by the organization in the country and will be implemented in four major beneficiary countries which include Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts, Grenada, and Barbados.
The project seeks to optimize existing production systems by strengthening the capacity of farmers and farmers’ organizations to produce more food using climate-smart and climate-resilient practices such as protected agriculture technology. From inception in 2022, six (6) beneficiaries were selected from Antigua and Barbuda. This includes the Greencastle Agricultural Station, Antigua and Barbuda Association for Persons with Disabilities, along with four other farmers who have been engaged in these types of cultivation. Plans are afoot to finalize the procurement of equipment and materials, which according to the FAO Official, should be on the island by the end of September 2023.
The FAO is committed to giving special attention and providing the necessary technical support to the region in innovative protected cultivation systems in a bid to foster sustainable development in Agriculture. Among the officials who accompanied Mr. Medina on the visits included Mrs. Kathleen Forde, National Project Coordinator, Jahmel Ralph, Focal Point and Mr. Ika Fergus, FAO National Correspondent.
Additionally, visits were conducted at three (3) beneficiary farms under the water-energy nexus and the TCP Reverse Osmosis/desalination Project respectively.