St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda — 10th December 2025…… Today, the Government, through Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy Anthony Smith Jr., presented a comprehensive agricultural agenda in the 2026 Budget Debate — one designed to transform the national food system, bolster food security, and revitalize farming, livestock, and agro-industry across Antigua and Barbuda.
In the area of key investments and infrastructural development, The Ministry will now operate its own heavy-duty equipment division — enabling land clearing, farm-road construction, pond/dam building, and material mining, critical to modernizing farm infrastructure and reducing dependence on imported food.
Two new abattoirs — one for poultry and another for small ruminants and pork — are funded, and the existing beef facility will be upgraded, directly targeting the country’s $175 million annual livestock import bill.
In addition, a nationwide rollout of solar farm-lighting will support extended farming hours and nighttime work, boosting productivity and making farming more viable as a livelihood.
To boost market access and agro-processing, the Ministry has acquired the Ken’s Club property for the Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) to establish a major wholesale outlet with dry and cold storage — and a new agro-processing facility — to streamline the journey from farm to table. This will support local producers, ensure consistent market access, stabilize food prices, and create hundreds of jobs.
Minister Anthony Smith also announced that at the same time, the Government is developing an Agro-Industrial Park at Diamonds and an Agro-Eco Park at Christian Valley — combining agriculture, light manufacturing, packaging, and eco-tourism to stimulate value-added production, innovation, and export readiness.
Minister Smith also emphasized that agriculture is a cornerstone of national food sovereignty and sustainability. The renewed strategy aligns with the Government’s commitment to reducing reliance on imports and building local food security — a concern made more urgent by global supply chain uncertainties.
He reiterated that these measures are not mere policy promises — but concrete, funded investments that will provide long-term stability, expand domestic production, and support economic growth. (Ends)
