Strengthening Agricultural Capacity Through International Collaboration: Antigua and Barbuda Hosts Advanced Training in Plant Tissue Culture, Pruning, and Grafting Techniques by Brent Simon

St. John’s, Antigua – May 28, 2025
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, in partnership with the Government of China and implemented by Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. of China, hosted a comprehensive training programme aimed at enhancing local expertise in plant tissue culture, fruit tree pruning, and grafting techniques.

Held at the Extension Division Conference Room and continued at Greencastle Farm, the training forms part of the Agricultural Technical Assistance Project designed to strengthen the research and innovation capacity of Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural sector. This initiative also supports national efforts to reduce food imports, build climate resilience, and ensure long-term food security.

The programme featured both theoretical instruction and practical demonstrations, through these activities over forty individuals were trained.  In the morning session, participants—comprising ministry officials, farm owners, and agricultural practitioners—were introduced to the principles of plant tissue culture, including key facilities, equipment, and core technical processes essential for propagation and genetic conservation.

The afternoon session transitioned into hands-on field training at Greencastle Farm, where attendees received practical instructions in fruit tree pruning and grafting—two critical techniques for improving fruit quality, managing tree health, and increasing productivity.

The sessions were led by Dr. Lu Jiaju, a fruit tree specialist and Associate Researcher at the Guizhou Institute of Subtropical Crops in China. Dr. Lu brought considerable expertise to the region, particularly in subtropical horticulture, and has been instrumental in knowledge transfer efforts under the bilateral agricultural cooperation framework.

The Ministry’s Management and staff expressed its appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co., Ltd. for their ongoing commitment to agricultural development in Antigua and Barbuda.

As the Ministry continues to pursue partnerships that build technical capacity and drive innovation, this initiative serves as a model for meaningful, results-driven collaboration.