Youth Farmers Take Center Stage in Antigua and Barbuda
The government is placing young farmers at the forefront of efforts to secure the nation’s agricultural future, with the relaunch of the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Forum for Agriculture (ABAFI) and rising voices of innovation among the next generation.
Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. said on ABS Television’s Government in Motion that the average age of a farmer in Antigua and Barbuda is over 55, a trend that threatens the long-term sustainability of the sector. “We have to invest heavily in finding youth and women who are interested in developing the sector so the sector could be sustainable,” he said.
Smith credited the relaunch of ABAFI as a major step in tackling the problem. The forum, which had gone dormant under a previous administration, has now grown to 70 members and is working to show young people the wide range of careers in agriculture. He highlighted the group’s president, Michael Joseph — recently named Caribbean Young Farmer of the Year — as an example of the leadership potential within its ranks.
Among the new generation is 18-year-old Koden Adams, a graduate of the Ministry of Agriculture’s internship program, who has embraced beekeeping while studying electrical engineering. Adams said he hopes to one day manage thousands of hives with the help of drones, combining technology with farming. “I’m thinking maybe a couple of years in the future, when I have my 2,000 beehives, I’ll have programmed drones to watch over my bees for me,” he said.
Adams also spoke about the role of mentors and the importance of support networks for young people choosing agriculture. After receiving a donated bee suit to help launch his venture, he said the gesture proved that established farmers and community leaders are willing to invest in the youth. “It made me realize that she really looks out for the young ones, the youths, and she really thinks that agriculture can go far with us,” he said.
Officials say the focus on youth aligns with wider government plans to modernize farming and diversify the economy, from tissue culture labs and new abattoirs to aquaculture expansion. Smith said the government will continue providing land, financing opportunities, and technical training to ensure young people see farming as a viable, rewarding career path.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
