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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Until there is evidence based reports of what resources of this type and others is allocated for Barbuda; it will continue to be clear Gaston Browne policy towards Barbuda is to rob them.
I too believe that lands leased to farmers should be taken away if not in use for a specific time period. However, the ministry of agriculture/ the government should at first fixed the infrastructure, mainly the roads and water, they give the tenants the time frame to get going. There are farmers that have lands leased that are inaccessible. If you think the highways and byways are bad visit the farm road.
Pm your farm is not too far from the highway, and you had the resources and the authority to get your road fixed, lighted etc. No other farm or farmer, not even the best have that ability.
When the foreign investors come to our shores we provide them with infrastructure. So if we are serious about agriculture the first thing we need to do is invest in the agriculture infrastructure. Then within a reasonable time period start issuing eviction notices.
Sir just like the government has been saying that you are going to break down and eventually acquire dilapidated properties -the government owns so much dilapidated and abandoned properties. Similarly the agriculture stations with all the infrastructure in place are left abandoned. Take for example Christian valley, which was such a thriving and productive out station, the Cades bay pineapple station, the one in Bendals, Orange valley, you destroyed the research station and have now replaced it or even set up a little unit. Hey the plant protection is now housed in a rental building, that is so unhealthy that for years they only work half day. Before you think of taking away farm lands fix the ministry of agriculture headquarters – left to run down and now in ruin.
The worst of all is the Diamonds estate, also known as ADC. That place should be the catalyst. It should be the center of our agriculture production. It is left to ruin and poorly managed. The next thing you are going to do with this treasure is share it up, if you have not already. Hear the name “ DIAMOND” it is exactly what it is a “DIAMOND. Any government that is serious about agriculture will start right at “DIAMOND”.
Next thing is to do a proper human resource Audit and put square pegs in square holes. That might even mean the minister and his advisors. Fix these before you start sending your usual threats to the poor, hardworking farmers.
Hon. PM I will be listening very attentively, glued to my TV to your 2025 budget presentation. Especially I will be listening attentively to your agriculture presentation and allocations.
Hon.Anthony Smith, even in this most opportune time in our nation’s history, with the geopolitical threats you have not got moving. This is an opportunity to become a great minister of agriculture. You to need to surround yourself with the right people. You are a young man and should be able to adjust and make yourself far more useful as a minister, don’t matter which ministry you are placed in. Under UPP you were shadowing Tourism, well at least create a linkage between Agriculture and Tourism.
They are scouting for lands and have now targeting arable lands. Look at what they did at Dunbars, Friars Hill, and their circle is always first to take ownership.
Sorry- 2026 budget presentation, which the PM will be presenting on December 4th, 2025.
Next – CMC is a major importer of vegetables and meat products . It uses it government links to import and pay little or no duty. Because it is viewed as a government entity their warrants are not throughly scrutinized. Don’t know if it’s still happening but CMC at one point was importing containers of goods for a big distributor duty fee.
Today CMC operates a government run supermarket adjacent to the farmers depot. While they continue to import agriculture supplies Duty free, are they charging anything on the duty? Can almost bet they are. So the minister of Finance needs to look deep into the books/ accounting of CMC.