![CARDI technicians evaluating the planting materials](https://antiguanewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CARDI-technicians-evaluating-the-planting-materials-696x523.jpg)
Members of the National Livestock Association (NLA) have received fencing materials to secure their demonstration 1-acre plots, funded under the Australian High Commission Direct Aid Project which was officially launched in Antigua and Barbuda in February this year.
The project addresses the resilience of protein food systems and community food and nutrition security for livestock in Antigua and Barbuda.
It will target growth of four highly nutritious non-invasive legume species that are tolerant to drought and flood and require fewer inputs for production.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is one of the leading organizations that is involved in the implementation of this project and its representative, Mr. Craig Thomas said that monitoring and evaluation of the land preparation were conducted and is ongoing.
He noted that three (3) of the plots have received their first cut of land preparation and preparation will commence on the plot at Cades Bay in the upcoming week.
Each plot will receive three cuts during the land preparation phase of the joint initiative.
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) which is also one of the organizations offering key support for the project, has been coordinating the preparation and management of the planting materials.
To date, some 150-dwarf elephant grass, 250 mulberry and 200 gliricidia have been propagated and are being managed by CARDI.
Other types of drought-tolerant and palatable forages will also be planted.
The land preparation should be completed for all the plots between May and June, as well as the installation of the drip water system for irrigation purposes.
Irrigation supplies are scheduled to arrive in Antigua from Miami within 1-2 weeks.
The Australian High Commission Direct Aid Programme is funding the National Livestock Association Project to the tune of 15,678 US dollars.
The project is also being carried out with major support from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The project is being carried out in four (4) areas across the island – Paynters Livestock Station in Paynters, BBC in Seaview Farm, Glanville and Cades Bay.
The duration of the project is 10 months and comes to completion on November 30 2020.
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