FAO Digital Solutions Workshop by Brent Simon
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Fisheries and the Blue Economy, on Monday 13, October hosted a national workshop on digital solutions for horticultural crop management.
The training, held at the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), brought together nearly sixty (60), extension officers, farmers, backyard gardeners, and technical officers from the Ministry for hands-on sessions in digital agriculture and soil mapping.
The activity forms part of the FAO FVC Digital Solutions Project, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening farmers’ capacity to manage data for improved decision-making across the fruit and vegetable value chain (FVC). The project introduces innovative tools and technologies that help countries collect, analyze, and share agricultural data in real time—enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of small- and medium-scale farming operations.
Mr. Ika Fergus, FAO National Correspondent, pointed out,
“Part of our plan going forward is to deploy our extension officers to conduct soil analysis at the Agricultural district level on farms for Bonafide, active farmers in hopes of generating immediate, recommendations that can lead to improvement in crop production and yield.”
Mr. Adrian Bowen, is FAO National Focal Point for this project. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between traditional farming and digital transformation by equipping agricultural stakeholders with practical knowledge in data management, crop monitoring, and soil information systems.
The key focus of the workshop was soil mapping integration—a modern approach that combines field data, laboratory analyses, and satellite imagery to create detailed maps of soil types, fertility, and suitability. Through this process, farmers and technicians can better understand the variability of their soils and make informed decisions on crop selection, fertilizer use, irrigation planning, and land management.
According to facilitators, these digital mapping tools will allow the Ministry to build a national soil information system, supporting not only horticultural development but also broader agricultural planning and climate resilience. Participants were also trained to upload and interpret data collected from their respective districts, ensuring that the technology is practical and community-centered.
The workshop continued with interactive sessions and a live demonstrations of Soil Mapping and Agricultural Drone Technology highlighting how innovation and information technology are transforming the way food is grown, managed, and marketed in Antigua and Barbuda.
