Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith has expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing efforts to restore and enhance the production of Antigua’s iconic Black Pineapple.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched an ambitious project aimed at cultivating more than 200,000 plants by the end of 2026 to revive this cherished fruit.

As part of the restoration initiative, premium strains of the Antigua Black Pineapple were selected from ten local farmers. These strains underwent a tissue culture clean-up process and were sent to a laboratory in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for propagation.

“We’ve received our initial batch of 15,000 slips from the lab in St. Vincent. All 15,000 slips have now been planted at Cades Bay, and we’re expecting another 15,000 to arrive soon. We are also collaborating with local pineapple farmers to source additional slips, which are currently being planted at Cades Bay as well. I am immensely proud of the Ministry of Agriculture and our current achievements in reviving the Antigua Black Pineapple,” Minister Smith stated.

To showcase the progress made, Antiguans and Barbudans are invited to attend Piango Fest on October 17th at Cades Bay.

“I’d like to extend an invitation to the community for Piango Fest, where attendees can see firsthand the advancements we’ve made in our restoration efforts,” he added. The event will feature staff from the station who will guide visitors through the pineapple fields.

Minister Smith also recognized the vital support from both regional and international partners contributing to the restoration project.

Hon. Anthony Smith Jr the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy

“We are extremely proud of our accomplishments so far. We owe gratitude to our partners, including IICA for their support, CARDI for their significant contributions, and the FAO for their assistance. Most importantly, we thank the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for the resources allocated to revive our beloved Antigua Black Pineapple,” he remarked.

He highlighted the importance of local farmers in this initiative and announced plans to distribute pineapple heads to farmers once they become available to encourage wider cultivation. The Minister also encouraged youth involvement in agriculture, especially in pineapple production, emphasizing its profitability and strong governmental backing.

Renowned for its unique sweetness, the Antigua Black Pineapple is not only a valuable crop but also a national treasure and an emblem of Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural heritage. This initiative aims to protect the genetic legacy of the fruit while promoting it on local, regional, and international stages.