Antigua and Barbuda’s Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith has issued an appeal for more young people to get involved in the farming sector, highlighting its profitability and the government’s commitment to supporting agriculture.
Speaking during a radio interview, Smith described agriculture as a “lucrative industry” with opportunities for growth and economic empowerment.
“As a young Minister of Agriculture, I am going to appeal that we have a lot more young people coming into the industry because it’s a lucrative, lucrative industry,” Smith said.
Smith emphasized that the government is providing significant support to make farming more accessible and productive. This includes concessions for farmers, investments in equipment, and improvements to infrastructure such as feeder roads and water access.
The minister also highlighted the importance of encouraging young farmers to embrace modern, sustainable practices to increase productivity.
The government has already secured grants and funding to support the agricultural sector, including an $800,000 grant from the Caribbean Development Fund for new equipment and land clearing. Plans are also in place to rehabilitate agricultural stations and build dams to ensure reliable water supply for farmers.
“Agriculture contributed $116 million to the economy this year,” Smith noted, underscoring the sector’s importance to national development.
Smith urged young people to see agriculture as a viable career option, pointing to its potential for economic independence and growth. He stressed that government initiatives, including the distribution of 200,000 fruit trees secured through a recent partnership with CARDI, will provide further opportunities for new entrants to the sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also working on creating a School of Agriculture at the Bethesda Primary School site to train and inspire the next generation of farmers.
Farmers and young people interested in starting or expanding their agricultural ventures are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture for details on available support, training, and concessions.
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Wonderful,I hope these young youths show interest in agriculture
Will the youths be provided with land to farm
Antigua is a strange place. This sounds so positive and forward, however, I know at least 10 that submitted applications months ago, just for the initial application. They’ve all called Agriculture many times, but no response and no answers.
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