Can Agriculture Thrive in a Changing Climate? A Shared Responsibility by Camellia Wallace Tonge
Food security is not determined by what we can import, but also by what we are prepared to grow, support and consume at home. For Antigua and Barbuda, strengthening local agriculture requires more than favorable weather. It calls for practical decisions by farmers, support from the institutions that serve them, commitment from businesses that purchase food and greater appreciation from consumers for what our own land can produce.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy continues to work with partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), to support agricultural development. Training and technical assistance give farmers opportunities to improve their production methods, manage resources more efficiently and strengthen their businesses. The next step is to make full use of these opportunities. Taking advantage of available training and applying relevant guidance can help farmers make informed decisions about their crops, inputs and long-term plans.
Climate conditions make this knowledge particularly important. The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology’s September–November 2026 outlook identifies increasing drought concerns for Antigua amid very strong El Niño conditions and below-normal rainfall expectations. Water conservation, efficient irrigation, appropriate crop selection and improved soil management are therefore important considerations for farmers. These measures cannot remove every climate-related risk, but informed planning can help reduce avoidable losses and make better use of limited resources.
Production, however, is only one part of the equation. Farmers also need dependable markets. Supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and other major buyers can help strengthen local agriculture by communicating their requirements, building relationships with producers and purchasing locally grown food when it is available and meets the necessary quality and supply standards. FAO’s recent work in Antigua and Barbuda has included assessing market demand and exploring investment opportunities in protected agriculture. Such efforts highlight the importance of connecting what farmers produce with what buyers need.
Consumers also influence the future of agriculture through everyday purchasing decisions. Choosing local vegetables and seasonal fruits when available helps create demand for domestic produce and supports the people whose livelihoods depend on farming. With appropriate harvesting, handling and storage, locally grown food may also reach consumers sooner after harvest. We can encourage this appreciation from an early age. When a child asks for imported plums, why not introduce them to the familiar taste of a local Marley apple? These small choices can help keep local foods valued and present in our homes.
Ultimately, a stronger agricultural sector depends on the efforts of many people working towards a common goal. The Ministry and its partners can facilitate opportunities and provide support; farmers can use available knowledge and resources to strengthen production; businesses can create reliable markets; and consumers can demonstrate their confidence in local food by buying it. Each contribution matters.
The question is not simply whether Antigua and Barbuda can produce more of its own food. It is whether we are all willing to play our part in making that possible.