Pig farming in Antigua is experiencing remarkable growth, with one local farm now capable of supplying half of the nation’s pork needs.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne shared details of the farm’s expansion during a recent interview, describing it as a success story in efforts to enhance food security and reduce dependence on imports.
“In just two years, we’ve grown from 30 pigs to over 700, with the capacity to produce 3,000 pigs annually by next year,” Mr. Browne explained.
He noted that the farm is currently selling 50 pigs per month, with plans to further expand operations by constructing a new pig house to accommodate the growing livestock.
This progress aligns with the government’s push to strengthen agriculture and local food production. “Our farm alone can supply 50% of the $14 million worth of pork we currently import,” he said, highlighting the economic and nutritional benefits of locally produced pork.
The Prime Minister emphasized the potential for more farmers to join the initiative. “If three or four additional farmers enter the market, Antigua can achieve self-sufficiency in fresh pork,” he remarked.
The government is also looking to decentralize farming efforts, encouraging smaller-scale farmers to participate in broiler chicken and pig production.
“We want to create opportunities for people to raise a few hundred chickens or pigs every six weeks, which can be processed and sold locally,” Mr. Browne added.
Increased local production not only reduces import costs but also ensures fresher, healthier meat for Antiguans.
“This is about empowering our people to generate legitimate wealth while contributing to food security,” the Prime Minister stated.
The rapid growth of pig farming has already inspired others to enter the industry.
“Another colleague recently joined the market and is now up to 200 pigs. It’s encouraging to see more people recognizing the opportunities in agriculture,” he noted.
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This article is misleading as it is clandestine; ulterior motive!!!
If this is true it would be a great step in ensuring food security. Because after chicken, Antiguans and Barbudans love to eat pork. Just look at the many Jerk Pork stalls operating everywhere. And it shows that there is lots of money to be made in animal farming. But it seems like we do not like the work involve in making money in certain industries. Shame on us. And thanks to our PM who was bold enough to start his farm. Farmer Browne. He paved the way for many to follow. A real trend setter. A real leader by example. Especially when he said, “go bun coal”. Yet many thought he was out of his place to tell young men to go bun coal. But there is lots of money to be made in selling coal. Just look at the demand for all the street vendors barbequing, Jerk Pork, Chicken and other things. The food taste much better when grilled on local coal. And even I am now using local coal on my home BBQ rather then LPG.
@Nuffield Burnette…
As a trained investigator with an eye for deception you seem to thing, that there is something “clandestine” with “ulterior motives” happening here. Hmmmmnnn –
@Less We Forget…
Yes the pork and poultry businesses can be beneficial to some investors. In doing the research and due diligences to accommodate such farms in Antigua…
(a)…where will these farms be located?
(b)…do the long term planning, to maintain such farms take into consideration(s) the wastes produced and how to deal with such? Environmental Impact.
Waste Management…
Pig and chicken farms come not only with a nonstop stench, smelled for miles around, the run offs, waste from these farms cause environmental issues too; with such things as soil and water contamination.
Bird flu and swine flu have to be discussed at length as well, since, they cause significant problems.
Yes! Grow the economy; but the size and community layouts on the island may not be suited for all LARGE SCALE FARMING of certain animals or crops.
One of the main reason(s) for the stench in St. John’s is due to the fact, that the infrastructure cannot handle the waste from homes and businesses. This is a great example of the “economic growth” and issues which probably were not taken into consideration. It’s like eating to fast, not chewing your food properly and ending up with a colic.
When it comes to some things…
A…tek time, walk fass!
B…ebrie ting ah fu, ebrie bady! Ebrie bady nah fit ebrie ting!
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De’Ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
RASTAMAN LUB PLENTY PORK & HAM!!!