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By- Brent Simon
On February 19th the Antigua Black Rehabilitation Project entered its second phase, with 5000 plantlets successfully transplanted over a two-day period.
This event followed extensive land preparation and the installation of an efficient irrigation system. This marks a major step in restoring and expanding the production of this iconic national fruit.
According to Jahmel Ralph/Station Manager at Cades Bay Agricultural Station, these plantlets will serve as foundation of plant material for future propagation, with anticipation and expectation of commercial production to take place in two to three years.
He appealed to livestock farmers in the area to respect the project and its surroundings; as free roaming livestock has caused costly damages to the station in the past.
The plantlets returned to Antigua from a lab in St. Vincent, underwent a crucial hardening process at the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) before being transplanted to the field at Cades Bay.
With assistance from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), pipeline was installed to ensure a steady water supply, essential for the plant’s growth in Antigua’s dry conditions.
Bradbury Browne/ Irrigation Specialist, overseeing the irrigation setup at Cades Bay Agricultural Station, emphasized the importance of this system: “Water management is key to ensuring these young plants establish themselves successfully”, Browne said.
The transplanting process was carried out with precision, to enhance optimal growth and airflow.
Technicians and agricultural workers carefully placed the plantlets in their designated rows, following best practices to enhance their survival rate.
The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), will continue to monitor the plants, implement pest management strategies, and ensure the success of this long-term initiative.
By the end of the year, the project is expected to show significant progress towards securing the future of Antigua’s most prized agricultural product “the Antigua Black”.
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Certainly a project of importance in many ways. Having been long talked about.
Phase two for Antigua, and nothing for Barbuda, but we are expected to be the bread basket of Antigua.
With all thats going Agricultural wise, in Antigua; which is to be commended; Not a darn thing for Barbuda.
We explained that to the British st the Lancaster conference that we have been resisting Antigua since 1860.
Nothing has changed. SE get ripped off and we get nothing back. Not even done seeds to grow vegetables.
Yes give them farming to do as well as carpentery, electrical , plumbing & contruction skills and academic work to keep them occupied n focus
This is a positive move! But more transparency on funding and expected outcomes would be helpful.
I hope there’s also a marketing strategy to boost international recognition of our unique pineapple.
we also need to focus on sustainable farming practices to keep this going for future generations.
Will there be training for farmers to maximize yield?
what measures are in place to protect these plantlets from climate challenges?
The Antigua Black Pineapple deserves this attention. But how will the project ensure these plants thrive long-term?