OECS Congratulates Antiguan Youth Farmer Michael Joseph on CARICOM Award
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has extended warm congratulations to *Michael Joseph, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture Forum for Youth (ABAFY), who was named the *CARICOM Youth Farmer of the Year 2025 during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture held in St. Kitts.
In a statement, the OECS hailed Joseph as a “trailblazer for agricultural innovation and sustainability in the region,” commending his pioneering use of *spray drone technology, **water-saving systems, and *natural farming methods to modernize food production across the Eastern Caribbean.
Joseph’s journey has inspired many across the region. During the awards ceremony at the *St. Kitts Marriott Resort, he shared how he began his agricultural career walking *four miles daily to his farm and using recycled plastic bottles for irrigation. His perseverance and creativity, OECS officials said, reflect the resilience and ingenuity that characterize the region’s youth.
“An investment in young farmers is an investment in food, and an investment in food is an investment in life itself,” Joseph told delegates during his address.
Operating on just over *one and a half acres, Joseph uses *no-till methods and other sustainable practices that allow him to produce twice the average yield per acre compared to traditional farms. His two spray drones have reduced labour, water, and chemical use by more than 50 percent, while boosting efficiency and crop coverage.
The OECS said Joseph’s success underscores the vital role of young people in building climate-smart and resilient food systems across the Caribbean. His achievement, the organization noted, exemplifies how innovation and sustainability can work hand in hand to secure the region’s agricultural future.
The *Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2025, which concluded on **Saturday, October 4, featured technical sessions, policy dialogues, and exhibitions focusing on **food security, **climate-smart agriculture, and *regional cooperation.
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Congratulations to Mr. Joseph certainly his ingenuity and hard work is producing results and should be recognized.
I’m curious as to the methods he has employed and how they came about such as his pioneering use of *spray drone technology, **water-saving systems, and *natural farming methods.
How can these systems be employed by others? What role did the Ministry play in providing assistance.
To the degree that these methods can be employed on a larger scale among the farming community what efforts are being made to do so?
Why is he still being referred to as a youth farmer ?
He’s not 25 years old hes 22
Congratulations young man