The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda achieved remarkable growth in 2024, contributing $116 million to the nation’s GDP—a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Prime Minister Gaston Browne highlighted this progress during his 2025 Budget presentation, crediting government policies and collaborative efforts with farmers for revitalizing the sector.
“This growth underscores our commitment to building a resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector,” Browne said. “Our policies are not just about increasing output but also about ensuring food security and economic sustainability.”
Crop production led the sector’s growth, expanding by 16% in 2024. This increase reflects the success of government subsidies, technical support, and initiatives to improve farming practices. Livestock production also saw growth, rising by 3%, supported by investments in breeding programs and veterinary services.
The government’s focus on modernizing agriculture has enabled local farmers to meet growing domestic demand for fresh produce and meat, reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
Prime Minister Browne attributed the sector’s performance to targeted policies and investments aimed at boosting productivity and resilience. Key initiatives include:
- Subsidies and Concessions: Farmers received expanded subsidies for equipment, fertilizers, and seeds, making it more affordable to enhance their operations.
- Technical Support: Government agencies provided training programs and advisory services to improve farming techniques and increase yields.
- Marketing and Distribution: The Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) played a crucial role in connecting farmers with markets, ensuring that locally produced goods reached consumers efficiently.
“Our government is committed to supporting farmers with the tools and resources they need to thrive,” Browne stated. “We are creating an environment where agriculture can flourish as a cornerstone of our economy.”
One of the key goals of the government’s agricultural strategy is to reduce the country’s dependency on imported food. To achieve this, the government has scaled up investments in domestic food production and launched initiatives such as the “Buy Local” campaign, spearheaded by the CMC. This program promotes locally grown produce and meats, encouraging consumers to support homegrown products.
Additionally, tariffs and duties have been applied to certain imported goods that are already available locally, further incentivizing domestic production and consumption.
The government has ambitious plans to build on the sector’s success in 2025, with additional investments aimed at expanding agricultural capacity. Highlights include:
- Hosting an Agricultural Symposium to bring together farmers, distributors, and investors to catalyze more investment in the sector.
- Scaling up subsidies and technical support to encourage higher production levels.
- Expanding the CMC’s operations to improve the marketing and distribution of locally produced goods.
The government will also focus on climate adaptation strategies to address the risks posed by changing weather patterns. These include investments in water storage and irrigation systems to ensure consistent agricultural output.
Agriculture’s growth has had a ripple effect across the economy, creating jobs and generating income for local communities. By empowering farmers and investing in sustainable practices, the government aims to solidify the sector’s role as a key driver of economic growth and food security.
Prime Minister Browne expressed optimism about the future of agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda, stating, “This sector is not just about food production; it is about empowering our people, creating jobs, and ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda remains resilient in the face of global challenges.”
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Which agriculture sector this article is referred to? It has to be Dominica where we get the majority of our agriculture food products from.
I believe the prime minister was speaking of Antigua. Show some love. Stop crying down your country.
sorry ms. donna, but its almost like you failed to realsie that agriculture is also large in Antigua and the Antiguan Prime Minister was talking about Antigua
Awesome. Antigua is developing so much lately it’s just something so awesome. I hope these farmers continue in there good work, your production has bring alot to this country.
Correct please- agriculture has not grown to seven percent but agriculture CDP contribution is now 7%. That is a completely different meaning. Agriculture contribution to the GDP I previously was between 4 to 5 % . So at seven percent it has grown by 2%.
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