World Food Day 2025 Activities Continue with Backyard Gardening Workshop by Shenequa Williams
As part of the World Food Day 2025 Calendar of Activities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy in collaboration with key partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Forum for Youth (ABAFY), the World Food Day (WFD) Committee, and the Agricultural Extension Division (AED), hosted an engaging Backyard Gardening Workshop on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the AED Headquarters on Kentish Road.
Held in observance of World Food Day 2025 under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food for a Better Life,” the workshop aimed to empower citizens to strengthen household food security and nutrition through practical training on how to grow their own produce, even in limited spaces.
Ika Fergus/FAO Correspondent officially opened the workshop by welcoming participants and outlining the day’s objectives and activities. He emphasized the importance of equipping households with sustainable skills that contribute to national food resilience.
Delivering remarks, Gregory Bailey/Director of Agriculture, highlighted that backyard gardening is “more than just a lifestyle.” He described it as a source of mental relief, improved nutrition, and community well-being. Bailey also encouraged gardeners to select plant species whose seeds can be reused, promoting sustainability and cost savings.
Walter Christopher/Permanent Secretary, also addressed participants, stressing the importance of food independence and national resilience. “Eat what you grow, not grow what you eat,” he said, noting that Antigua and Barbuda consumes an estimated 150 pounds of chicken per person each year, a figure that underscores the need for increased local food production.
The workshop featured informative presentations covering various aspects of backyard farming and sustainable production techniques:
- Junior Greene of CARDI provided insights into local agricultural innovation and support available for small-scale growers.
- Bradbury Browne of GRO TECH demonstrated effective, low-cost irrigation and water-saving techniques that can help farmers and home gardeners increase production while conserving water
- Apiculturist Jamaul Philip, who has been involved in beekeeping for over a decade, shared fascinating information on the importance of bees and the benefits of apiculture, including pollination, honey production, and ongoing research suggesting that bee venom could have potential therapeutic applications such as aiding in breast cancer treatment.
- Oneicia Anthony made a detailed presentation on pest and disease identification, teaching participants how to recognize, prevent, and manage common threats to garden crops.
The event successfully blended knowledge-sharing, community spirit, and national development goals, reflecting the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to encourage citizens to contribute to food security through sustainable backyard gardening practices.
