Twenty-two-year-old Michael Joseph of Bendals has officially been presented with his winnings after capturing the CARICOM Young Farmer Award 2025, marking a proud moment for Antigua and Barbuda’s growing agricultural sector.

The young farmer received his cheque and commendations from senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the local representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) during a brief ceremony on Wednesday.

Joseph’s triumph was announced during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture held in St. Kitts last week, where he emerged the overall winner among competitors from across the region, including Guyana, Suriname, Belize, and Jamaica.

Operating a 1.5-acre farm in Bendals, Joseph specializes in okras and tomatoes, but what truly set him apart was his innovative use of technology in farming.

Joseph, who farms full-time, also offers drone-spraying and tractor services to other farmers as part of his business model, emphasizing innovation and efficiency.

The Ministry of Agriculture and IICA hailed Joseph’s success as a powerful example of the future of farming in the Caribbean, demonstrating how youth, innovation, and technology can transform traditional agriculture into a modern, sustainable enterprise.

His victory, seen by many as an upset against more experienced farmers from larger countries, has made Joseph a symbol of what’s possible for young entrepreneurs across Antigua and Barbuda who dare to merge passion with progress.