CABINET NOTES: The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has announced a series of decisive steps to strengthen national food security, asserting that the time has come for a significant increase in domestic agricultural output in light of rising geopolitical uncertainty within the wider region.
With escalating tensions in Caribbean waters between Venezuela and the United States posing potential risks to regional supply chains, the Cabinet emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda must be fully prepared to safeguard its access to affordable, reliable food supplies. The Cabinet stated that while Antigua and Barbuda has made continuous strides in agricultural development over the past decade—including the expansion of farm road infrastructure, construction of dams, drip-irrigation systems, and support incentives for farmers—current threats demand an intensified national effort.
As part of its strengthened policy posture, the Cabinet has decided that lands leased for farming but left unproductive will now be subject to reassignment. Farmers who are not actively using their acreage will be given 30 days to put their land into production, failing which government will reallocate the acreage to farmers and cooperatives ready to cultivate.
Cabinet underscored that this measure is not punitive but is necessary to ensure the nation’s agricultural assets are fully contributing to food security, employment, and sustainable economic resilience.
In support of this new thrust, the Ministry of Agriculture has been mandated to immediately accelerate a broad strengthening of state assistance to the farming community. Increased activity will begin at once in the following priority areas:
- Fencing of farms to reduce praedial larceny and protect livestock
- Expansion of nursery production and wider provision of seedlings to promote rapid crop generation
- Construction of new wells, dams, and ponds to secure irrigation water and drought resilience
- Lighting of farms to increase security and productivity
- Cutting, surfacing, and paving of farm access roads
- Fuel subsidy support for fishermen, recognizing their essential role in domestic food supply
These actions build upon previous Government investments that, in recent years, have improved water storage, provided duty-free concessions for equipment and materials, and intensified local livestock and poultry development.
To modernize large-scale production and support agro-enterprise development, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of: - An Agro-Industrial Park at Diamonds, and
- An Eco Park at Christian Valley
Both installations will serve as hubs for agricultural innovation and production, with a dedicated focus on small ruminants, agro-processing, and locally formulated animal feeds. The new parks are intended to strengthen value chains, reduce reliance on imported feed stock, and create new opportunities for agri-business development, exports, and employment.
In discussions with the Forestry Division, Cabinet also reviewed the national reforestation programme. Based on ecological, logistical, and industry feedback, the target for planting one million trees in a year has been revised to 300,000 trees, a figure deemed challenging yet realistic and fully achievable within national capacity. The tree-planting programme contributes to climate resilience, watershed restoration, biodiversity reinforcement, and the long-term sustainability of agricultural lands.
Over the last decade, Antigua and Barbuda has: - Expanded domestic egg, poultry, and livestock production
- Implemented duty-free concessions for farm equipment
- Constructed new water storage facilities
- Improved agricultural access roads
- Invested in drought-resilient technologies
- Enhanced technical extension services
- Supported backyard farming initiatives
With global shifts increasing the risks associated with food import dependence, the Cabinet emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda must now move fully into “production mode.”
“We cannot wait for disruption before we respond,” Cabinet noted. “Food security is national security, and these measures ensure that our country is better protected, more self-reliant, and more capable of feeding itself in uncertain global times.”
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with farmers, fishermen, the private sector, backyard growers, agricultural cooperatives, and schools to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda becomes one of the most food-secure small states in the Western Hemisphere.
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