International Carrot Day: A Celebration of Nutrition and Agriculture by Brent Simon

International Carrot Day is celebrated annually on April 4th, a day dedicated to appreciating and promoting the versatile carrot. A staple in diets worldwide due to its high nutritional value, the carrot can be eaten raw, cooked, juiced, or baked into a delicious dessert.

The carrot is a root vegetable belonging to the Apiaceae family (also known as the Umbelliferae family). Root vegetables in general are valuable sources of nutrients often rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Included in this family are plants like parsley, celery, and parsnips. The edible part of the carrot is its taproot which grows underground. The carrot’s taproot acts as a storage organ for the plant, accumulating sugars and other nutrients. This is why we harvest it and eat it.

According to available data, Antigua and Barbuda produces about 6 tonnes of carrots and turnips combined. This figure indicates that local cultivation does not meet the domestic demand, and the nation is forced to rely more on imports.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been encouraging self-sufficiency in food production to reduce the nation’s reliance on imports, while providing assistance and training to our local farmers to potentially enhance the cultivation of carrots and other essential crops, contributing to food security and economic stability in the nation.