St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – The government is actively seeking a new location for the Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) to improve access and efficiency for both farmers and consumers.
Announced by Agriculture Minister Hon. Anthony Smith during a recent press conference on food security, the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural sector and ensure farmers have a reliable pathway to market.
The CMC plays a crucial role in the distribution and sale of local produce, serving as a key link between farmers and consumers.
However, challenges related to its current location have made operations less efficient, prompting the Ministry of Agriculture to prioritize relocation.
Minister Smith emphasized that securing a more accessible and well-equipped space will enhance the corporation’s ability to support farmers and ensure a steady supply of fresh, locally grown food.
“Our goal is to create a marketplace that is not only convenient for farmers but also attractive to consumers,” Smith stated. “By improving market access, we can boost local food sales, reduce spoilage, and support our national push towards food security.”
The government is currently assessing potential sites that would provide better infrastructure, transportation links, and storage facilities to accommodate growing agricultural production.
The relocation plan also aims to modernize the CMC’s operations, integrating improved logistics and handling systems to streamline the distribution process.
Farmers have welcomed the initiative, highlighting the need for a market that is both strategically located and equipped with the necessary resources to store and sell perishable goods efficiently.
Many believe that an upgraded facility will not only enhance sales but also encourage more people to buy local produce, reducing the country’s dependence on imported food.
Minister Smith assured stakeholders that the government is committed to finalizing the relocation plan as soon as possible. The Ministry of Agriculture is working closely with farmers, vendors, and market officials to ensure that the new site meets the needs of all involved.
With plans progressing, the new CMC location is expected to play a significant role in transforming Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural supply chain, fostering a more efficient and resilient food system.
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A fresh start for the Central Marketing Corporation sounds promising.
will there be enough support to make this transition smooth for all involved?
I hope the new site is well-planned to avoid the issues faced by previous locations.
Yes a new location with ample parking is needed
This is probably the best news I have heard in months and I applaud the intiative of the Ministry of Agriculture. Land, Fisheries and the Green Economy.
The next thing that should be looked at is our Fisheries Sector. Much needs to be done to improve our harvesting capabilities and market regulations.
At present, we have unscrupulous fish vendors, particularly among the Spanish community who are price-gouging the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. They demand a price of $18 per pound for cleaned snappers which, on the face of it, may well be reasonable. But their method of marketing is extortionate. You request 5 lbs. of cleaned fish which would be $90; but then they proceed to weigh 5 lbs. of unprocessed fish, clean them and sell it to you as 5 lbs. After cleaning, the best weight you end up with is no more than 3.75 lbs.
The Ministry could assist fishermen with lower priced squid for bait. We presently pay $58 for 3 lbs. of squid, which is a heavy cost to us all. Antigua and Barbuda is blessed to have a phenomenal quantity of squid on the borders of the continental shelf or “drop off” which need only be harvested. Why not approach the Japanese for assistance with a commercial squid fishing vessel to harvest and distribute squid to the entire OECS for a fraction of the cost we are obliged to pay now for this product? It is feasible and doable.
Again, congratulations to the Ministry for seeking to expand and enhance the operations of the Central Marketing Corporation. Just do us a further favour: tackle the issues confronting and stifling the Fisheries Sector.
Keep the prices affordable. Not everyone gets the kind of money that Shugy boasted about to Miss Knight