{"id":260990,"date":"2025-12-11T07:15:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T11:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=260990"},"modified":"2025-12-11T07:15:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T11:15:55","slug":"farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith says Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s farming population is aging rapidly, warning that the country must bring in younger farmers to secure the future of its food supply. <\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, he described the demographic shift as one of the most serious long-term challenges facing the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith said the average age of many local farmers is now \u201c55 and 60 plus,\u201d noting that the country\u2019s most experienced producers are \u201caging out\u201d of the sector and leaving behind a widening gap. <\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>\n\n\n\n

He stressed that this reality affects food security, succession planning, production stability and the ministry\u2019s ability to push modern methods across the industry.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To counter the trend, Smith highlighted the relaunch of the Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Youth Forum (ABAYF), which he described as one of the ministry\u2019s most important tools for attracting the next generation of agricultural workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its relaunch less than a year ago, the programme has enrolled \u201c75 registered members\u2026 young men and women\u2026 attracted to agriculture,\u201d he told Parliament.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Smith said the youth forum is not just a club but a structured pipeline designed to expose young people to agricultural careers, teach them the value of food production, and connect them with ministry departments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He used the example of Chief Extension Officer Iker Fergus, who \u201ccame through the ABAYF ranks\u201d before rising into leadership, as proof that youth initiatives can produce skilled professionals who go on to guide national policy.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The minister added that ABAYF is part of a broader push to modernise the image of agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda. <\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

He said young people must be encouraged to see agriculture not only as traditional farming but also as a field connected to technology, agribusiness, research, sustainability, food systems management and national development. Smith repeatedly emphasized that young people are essential to \u201cmoving the sector forward,\u201d especially as older farmers retire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He linked the demographic issue to several of the ministry\u2019s wider programmes aimed at supporting current and future farmers, including training initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, new equipment, food-security projects, and expanded opportunities for hands-on involvement. Smith said these investments are meant to create a sector that young people want to join and can see themselves leading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the minister, combining support for the aging farmer population with aggressive recruitment of young people is critical to ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda can maintain stable, local food production for years to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur young men and women are attracted to agriculture,\u201d he said, adding that the ministry intends to build on that momentum.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith says Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s farming population is aging rapidly, warning that the country must bring in younger farmers to secure the future of its food supply. Speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, he described the demographic shift as one of the most serious long-term challenges facing the sector. Smith said the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":206392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-260990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nFarmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith says Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s farming population is aging rapidly, warning that the country must bring in younger farmers to secure the future of its food supply. Speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, he described the demographic shift as one of the most serious long-term challenges facing the sector. Smith said the […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-11T11:15:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-11T11:15:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1156\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"867\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-11T11:15:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-11T11:15:55+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\"},\"wordCount\":432,\"commentCount\":5,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\",\"name\":\"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns - Antigua News Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-11T11:15:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-11T11:15:55+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg\",\"width\":1156,\"height\":867,\"caption\":\"Farmers waiting MOA photo\/JULY 10, 2024\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"name\":\"Antigua News Room\",\"description\":\"News As It Happens\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Antigua Newsroom\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"width\":1260,\"height\":1260,\"caption\":\"Antigua Newsroom\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns - Antigua News Room","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns","og_description":"Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith says Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s farming population is aging rapidly, warning that the country must bring in younger farmers to secure the future of its food supply. Speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, he described the demographic shift as one of the most serious long-term challenges facing the sector. Smith said the […]","og_url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/","og_site_name":"Antigua News Room","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","article_published_time":"2025-12-11T11:15:16+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-12-11T11:15:55+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1156,"height":867,"url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_site":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/"},"author":{"name":"Editor","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5"},"headline":"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns","datePublished":"2025-12-11T11:15:16+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-11T11:15:55+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/"},"wordCount":432,"commentCount":5,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/","name":"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns - Antigua News Room","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-11T11:15:16+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-11T11:15:55+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1156\/h:867\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/FARMERS.jpg","width":1156,"height":867,"caption":"Farmers waiting MOA photo\/JULY 10, 2024"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/farmers-aging-population-is-a-concern-minister-warns\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Farmers\u2019 Aging Population Is a Concern, Minister Warns"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","name":"Antigua News Room","description":"News As It Happens","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization","name":"Antigua Newsroom","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","width":1260,"height":1260,"caption":"Antigua Newsroom"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260990"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":260991,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260990\/revisions\/260991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/206392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}