Government Targets 200,000 Antigua Black Pineapple Plants by 2025
The government has launched a major initiative to restore the renowned Antigua Black Pineapple, with plans to produce 200,000 plant heads by next year.
Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith shared the update during a recent radio interview, emphasizing the use of tissue culture technology to revitalize the prized fruit.
The initiative began with the selection of the highest-quality strains of the Antigua Black Pineapple from local farmers. Minister Smith explained:
“We asked about 10 farmers to come forward who said they had the Antigua Black Pineapple—the best of the best. We took strains of the best of the best Antigua Black Pineapple, and we cleaned up the tissue culture.”
Due to the absence of a suitable facility locally, the cleaned tissue culture was sent to St. Vincent, where the plant material was multiplied. According to Minister Smith, the project has already yielded significant results:
“We have multiplied those 10 into 15,000 plant heads for the Antigua Black, and we are shipping them back to Antigua.”
The government aims to further expand the production to 200,000 plant heads by 2025. Minister Smith highlighted the role of local farmers in achieving this milestone:
“We’re planning to multiply that to over 200,000 pineapple heads within the next year. The government will be responsible for a large portion as well, but we also want to have those pineapple heads to give out to local farmers.”
The Agriculture Minister also made an appeal for young people to enter the sector, describing agriculture as a highly profitable industry with strong government support:
“As a young Minister of Agriculture, I am going to appeal that we have a lot more young people coming into the industry because it’s a lucrative, lucrative industry.”
The Antigua Black Pineapple, celebrated globally for its unique sweetness, is considered a luxury fruit and a key symbol of Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural heritage.
This initiative, according to Smith, represents a significant step toward preserving and promoting the fruit both locally and internationally.
The government has also committed to expanding operations at Cades Bay and other agricultural stations to ensure sustainable production.
Farmers and stakeholders interested in participating in the project are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture for further information.
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