Bringing Back the Antigua Black Sweetness by Brent Simon and Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

Several employees from the Ministry of Agriculture had the opportunity to participate in a planting exercise, a component of the Antigua Black Rehabilitation Project which is under the auspices of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).  The training was facilitated by Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) aimed at improving the genetic resources in Antigua with success the ultimate aim of re-establishing the Antigua Black Pineapple as a cash crop for the twin nation

The Antigua Black Pineapple is a unique variety known for its sweet taste and cultural significance to Antigua and Barbuda. The institutes efforts have focused on improving increasing production and enhancing the market potential of this pineapple strain. This includes research on sustainable farming techniques, pest control, and improved propagation methods to ensure the rehabilitation and resilience of this crop.

One of the key goals is to boost the pineapple’s visibility in international markets while preserving its heritage as a key symbol of Antiguan agriculture. IICA collaborates with CARDI, the government, local farmers, and other stakeholders to provide technical support, training and resources to help revive the industry in countless areas.

Once a symbol of Antigua national pride, the Black Pineapple experienced a decline due to factors which include but are not limited to challenges in production, competition from other pineapple varieties, and shifts in global market dynamics. The decline in farming of the Black Pineapple was also linked to aging infrastructure, limited agricultural investment, and younger generation moving away from traditional agricultural practices.  However, it is never too late to reset, strategize and proceed to better and a brighter future.

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