Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith says the government’s $15 million redevelopment of the Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) will create hundreds of jobs and transform Antigua and Barbuda’s agro-industrial sector. Speaking during the Budget Debate, Smith described the project as a “game changer” that will reposition CMC as a core pillar of national food security and economic development.
Smith said the investment centres on the recently acquired former Kent’s Club property, a five-acre site that will become the new headquarters for CMC.
He told Parliament the government has already invested more than $9 million to secure the property, which will be built out into a major agricultural hub supporting farmers, agro-processors and consumers across the country.
As part of the redevelopment, Smith said the government will construct cold-storage and dry-storage facilities at the site, allowing CMC to purchase produce in bulk from local farmers and sell directly to the public from the new location. Several buildings already on the compound will be upgraded, and additional structures will be added to support the expanded operations.
A key component of the new complex will be a purpose-built agro-processing facility, which Smith said will provide space for local producers to develop and market value-added goods. He listed wines, jams, specialty breads and other processed foods commonly made by small businesses as products that will benefit from the new facility. He added that the wider agro-industrial support centre will be located in Kasada Gardens.
Smith emphasised that the upgraded CMC is intended to strengthen the local food system, not compete with supermarkets. He said criticism from the opposition that CMC undermines private retailers is unfounded, noting that a Cabinet-requested customs study showed CMC’s import volumes are “minuscule” compared to large supermarkets and represent only “a drop in the bucket.”
He said CMC’s mandate is twofold: to support local farmers by purchasing their produce and to help lower the cost of living, especially for vulnerable households.
Smith told Parliament that the corporation plays a critical role in ensuring that “poor people” are able to access quality meats, fish and fresh fruits, adding that CMC has become an important social tool in improving nutrition and affordability.
Smith also noted that CMC’s financial turnaround has made the redevelopment possible. When the government took office in 2014, he said CMC had no funds, owed creditors and struggled to pay staff.
Today, he said, the corporation “has millions of dollars in the bank,” crediting the turnaround to Cabinet decisions and the leadership of the general manager and board.
Smith said the new CMC will anchor a broader agro-industrial ecosystem the government is building, linking storage, processing, marketing and primary production. He said the project will create significant employment while giving farmers and agro-processors greater opportunities to scale their businesses.
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I guess my comments didn’t past the smell test. Because up until now they are not posted. I rather have my comments redacted then not posted at all. I put quite some effort in posting these comments and not look back to see if they are ever posted. So when I happen to come back to see who responded and don’t see my comments it demotivate me to participate on this forum.
Anyway you have the power to publish what you think is right.
I was listening to the Hon. Chet Green when he made his delivery on the budget. He touch on CMC, although it is not part of his portfolio. But it was because of the consultation he last had in the very same building with merchants about consumer rights. In someway some of the merchant present reminded him about the unfair competition. His responds was that the government was inn their right to assist poor people to be able to eat the good things in life like Salmon and other high price items in the stores.
Well I really find this a lame excuse again over the backs of POOR PEOPLE. You can do a survey whether or not poor people even care about eating Salmon. I’ll bet you they will prefer Cub, Old Wife, Snapper, Grunt and other local fish. Salmon is for the wannabees. And he sad thing is. CMC is open to any and everyone. So their is no control who can buy all these Duty Free and Tax Free Food Items. The restaurants owners, the Shawarma shops, they all purchase their cheap meats and cheese from CMC. But they will not reduce their prices for their menu because of this. Even Hotels and Catering Companies are purchasing at CMC. The only loser in all of this is The Government of Antigua and Barbuda. They are not getting their taxes and duties and the revenues of some of the supermarkets are dwindling. Which leads to lower corporate taxes. It does put CMC in a good Cash Position and that is why they can consider expansion. But I tell you this expansion is based on false data. If tomorrow the government has to revoke these preferential treatment of Duties and Taxes, CMC will not be able to compete with the other supermarkets. And as I have stated in other comments, this project is going to be a failed project. It is suppose to be agro processing plant. Well yes we do not small agro processing industry in Antigua. Some persons have already started. Thinking of the juice bottling entrepreneurs. Jam making. Susie’s Hot Sause, and others. We need to introduce the young people to more of such small cottage industry projects they can start. And really there is no need to re-invent the wheel. Asia has many of them. We just need to focus on some that will be beneficial for us. I challenge the ministry of Trade to take the lead and hold seminars and workshops to introduce these to the young people. And with the right support and financing from the EDF they can make a start.
One thing that Mr. Green mentioned was that if there are loopholes in the system CMC management should work to close those loopholes. Well Mr. Green. I just explained to you the big loophole. Any and everyone can buy DUTY FREE, ABST FREE at CMC. The Government Supermarket. And they can buy on any quantity. So the small poor man can buy his small portion of Salmon, but the restaurant owner can buy a case of Salmon, and so too can the Hotel and the Catering Company.
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