5000 Antigua Black Pineapple Plantlets Transplanted in Phase 2 of Rehabilitation Project by Brent Simon
On February 19th the Antigua Black Rehabilitation Project entered its second phase, with 5000 plantlets successfully transplanted over a two-day period. This event followed extensive land preparation and the installation of an efficient irrigation system. This marks a major step in restoring and expanding the production of this iconic national fruit.
According to Jahmel Ralph/Station Manager at Cades Bay Agricultural Station, these plantlets will serve as foundation of plant material for future propagation, with anticipation and expectation of commercial production to take place in two to three years. He appealed to livestock farmers in the area to respect the project and its surroundings; as free roaming livestock has caused costly damages to the station in the past.
The plantlets returned to Antigua from a lab in St. Vincent, underwent a crucial hardening process at the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) before being transplanted to the field at Cades Bay. With assistance from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), pipeline was installed to ensure a steady water supply, essential for the plant’s growth in Antigua’s dry conditions.
Bradbury Browne/ Irrigation Specialist, overseeing the irrigation setup at Cades Bay Agricultural Station, emphasized the importance of this system: “Water management is key to ensuring these young plants establish themselves successfully”, Browne said.
The transplanting process was carried out with precision, to enhance optimal growth and airflow. Technicians and agricultural workers carefully placed the plantlets in their designated rows, following best practices to enhance their survival rate.
The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), will continue to monitor the plants, implement pest management strategies, and ensure the success of this long-term initiative. By the end of the year, the project is expected to show significant progress towards securing the future of Antigua’s most prized agricultural product “the Antigua Black”.
