Minister of Agriculture Press Conference: Focus on Food Security, Youth Involvement, and Agricultural Innovation by Brent Simon and Shenequa Williams

Perry Bay, Antigua: 11/2/25 – At today’s press conference in the Multi-Purpose Centre VIP lounge, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MoA) laid out the vision for the future of the country’s agricultural landscape. Moderated by Ms. Carol-Faye Bynoe-George/MoA Head-Communication Unit, media reps and other attendees listened as, the Honorable Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, the Blue Economy, Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher, and Director Gregory Bailey, addressed local media, underscoring the key areas of food security, youth development, the development of a sustainable agricultural sector and the economy.

Minister Smith began by emphasizing that Food Security remains a top priority for the government. Despite challenges, the agricultural sector has shown resilience, achieving a 7% growth in 2024, contributing 116 million ECD, or 2 % of the GDP. He stressed that food security is not just the responsibility of the government but of every citizen, calling for a collaborative effort to ensure the availability, affordability, and sustainability of local food sources.

“We cannot do this alone. Every citizen must play their part in ensuring our country’s food security.” Minister Smith asserted.

In line with these goals, the Minister encouraged more investment from the private sector, focusing on commodities that are vital to the local economy.  Additionally, Mr. Christopher reiterated the minister’s assertions and further explained that the ministry’s goals could be achieved by the increased production of ten key crops include pineapple, sweet potato, sweet pepper, yam, chicken, pork, goat, eggs, cassava, and honey. This effort he noted, is a critical part of the broader strategy to double the agriculture sector’s contribution to the national GDP.

Addressing the water situation, Minister Smith with the support of Mr. Bailey highlighted the ongoing work to enhance natural waterways and develop strategic mega dams to supplement the present supply of water. Additionally, the ministry will be utilizing materials from its quarry build better access to the farms roads for farmers while improving accessibility to markets.

“Land management and water resources are the cornerstone of our agricultural strategy. With efficient land and water use, we can ensure sustainable growth,” the director remarked.

The main topic of the press briefing was the need for youth involvement in agriculture. The average age of farmers in Antigua and Barbuda is over 50, a statistic that calls for urgent action. Therefore, the government is particularly proud of the relaunch of the ABAFY (Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture Forum for Youths), which encourages younger generations to view agriculture as a lucrative and essential career.

The Minister also announced the government’s plan for the Bethesda School of Agriculture which will be housed in the former Bethesda Primary School. This state-of-the-art agricultural institution will provide the education and skills necessary for young people to thrive in the evolving agricultural sector. According to the director, the curriculum is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education at present.

“We need to show young people the potential of agriculture and the impact it can have on their lives. This school will be a game changer for the sector,” Minister Smith Added.

Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher echoed these sentiments, thanking the Cabinet for providing $700,000 in support of agricultural initiatives. He emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency and the Ministry’s on-going efforts to aggressively seek additional resources to fuel agricultural development. “We are committed to making Antigua and Barbuda a leader in sustainable agriculture.” Christopher stated.

The Director of Agriculture, Mr. Gregory Bailey, took the opportunity to address the potential for the agricultural sector to grow. He also highlighted the need for sustainable practices, infrastructure and reiterated that efforts will be made to integrate livestock, fisheries and crop production more effectively to ensure a resilient and diversified agricultural sector. Comments were also made pertaining to the ongoing Antigua Black pineapple project and the broccoli training given by the Chinese government through the Long Ping High Tech Corporation.

The panel emphasized that national food security is an ongoing challenge that requires a collaborative effort from all sectors of society. Minister Smith called on the public, private entities, and youth to come together to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future for Antigua and Barbuda. Additionally, in his closing remarks the minister thanked all the stakeholders and partners such as the Inter-America Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), the Chinese and the Venezuelan Governments.

With bold steps in place including a school of agriculture, and a focus on strategic commodities, the Ministry of Agriculture is positioning Antigua and Barbuda to not only meet its food security needs but also lead the way in agricultural innovation.