2024 AGRO EXPO

The 2024 AGRO EXPO was a huge success by all estimations.  Stemming from the first Inter-school Garden Competition the event was beyond expectations.  Another positive for both Ministries of Education and Agriculture, the expo was not the first  but certainly was one of its kind.  The last expo was held two years ago in 2022 was a success, however, this year’s Expo to it put in colloquial term “WAS A SELL OFF!”

The award ceremony of the Inter-school garden competition was one of the many activities of the special day.  Fifteen schools competed in three categories which were Pre, Primary and Secondary schools.  According to the judge’s report, the competition at all levels was very close.  According to the panel of five judges the scores differences between the three top schools were between .1 to 2 points after the final averages.   Resulting in the Pre-school category: Sir Luther Wynter barely edged out the Villa Preschool, Clare Hall Secondary School forged ahead of Sir Novelle Richards Academy with the Old Road Primary School winning the Cedar Grove Primary School for first place and also overall CHAMPION!

Other activities for the day included sightseeing and visiting a wide variety of stalls, livestock animals, picture taking, and  an exclusive raffle for prizes based on the Expo tickets purchased by the students. The event was fully supported by stakeholders such as CARDI, Ministry officials such as Mrs. Rosa Greenaway – Permanent Secretary/Ministry of Education, and Mr. Gregory Bailey, Director/Agriculture, students, teachers, administrators, parents, farmers, agro-processors, and well wishers.

The Organizers would like to express sincere gratitude to Minister E.P. Chet Green – Minister of Agriculture, who donated the prizes for Primary School winners, Minister Daryll Matthew – Minister of Education who donated the prizes for the Secondary School winners and Senator Samantha Marshall – Ministry of Social Transformation who donated the prizes for the Pre-school winners.  Other prizes that were given to various achievers were sponsored by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), A & R Hardware, Louis Brothers, Antigua Home & Garden Supplies and Dew Pro Builders.

With such a tremendous success simply means that AGRO EXPO is guaranteed to be an annual event.  Thank the Lord Almighty and Mother Nature for holding the rain, the weather was overcast but fair for the duration of the event. Kudos to ABS Television, Menace XL and everyone for making it a fantastic occasion and a wonderful experience.