The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs Samantha Marshall has been visiting agricultural stations across the island to see first-hand the issues which they are facing, with a view of finding solutions to ensure maximum productivity within the agricultural sector in Antigua and Barbuda.
During today’s (Fri) visit, Minister Marshall noted that the facility is much different than what she remembers it to be, and that not only will she be looking at the equipment used to maintain farms but also at the condition of the pound and storage facilities for hay which no longer exists.
Ms. Marshall added that she now has a better understanding of the various challenges being experienced at the Livestock Station and in a recent meeting with the livestock association, one of the common issues that each member shared was the unavailability of hay to farmers.
Head of the Livestock Station, Lennox Henry welcomed the visit and noted that due to the poor condition of the facility over the years, they are unable to fully perform their duties.
He explained that the Station is now working in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) to produce protein energy banks.
These banks are a part of a project entitled, “Developing Sustainable Protein sources for community nutrition resilience in Antigua,” which has been funded by the Australian High Commission Aid Programme, this project will provide forages for livestock farmers.
The Paynters Livestock Station is one out of four selected locations for this project.
Other issues of concern at the Livestock include security of the premises and more lands to improve the yield of production.
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