Maurice Merchant outlines some new food security initiatives the government has planned
With growing concerns about food security, Cabinet is ramping up efforts to assist farmers and fishers.
Fencing of farms, expansion of nursery production, and construction of new wells, dams, and ponds to secure irrigation, water access, and drought resilience were among the key areas highlighted.
“Government has procured over 200 streetlights, and farms are a priority for their installation. Cutting, surfacing, and paving of farm access roads, along with fuel subsidies for farmers, are underway. In addition, Cabinet has identified two areas for the development of an agro‑industrial park and an eco‑park.
“The eco‑park, Cabinet has determined, will be located at Christian Valley. In fact, Cabinet will be touring Christian Valley this morning, Friday, to assess the site,” Cabinet Spokesperson Maurice Merchant said.
The agro‑industrial park will be located at Diamonds.
“Both installations will serve as hubs for agricultural innovation and production, with a focus on small ruminants, agro‑processing, and locally formulated animal feeds. The new parks are intended to strengthen value chains, reduce reliance on imported feedstock, and create new opportunities for agribusiness development, exports, and employment,” Merchant added
Fuel subsidies for fishers will also be increased.
Unproductive farmers will have land taken away under new initiative
On another note, farmers who have leased land but are not producing risk having their leases revoked.
This initiative gives these farmers 30 days from today to put their land into production. Failing this, government will reallocate the acreage to farmers and companies ready to cultivate.
“The Ministry of Agriculture has a registry of all farmlands in Antigua leased by government. If after 30 days there is no action, the ministry will identify productive farmers who require additional land to scale up. These farmers will be assigned the acreage once they are capable of operating it. It’s a simple criterion: don’t perform, and it’s reassigned to performers,” Cabinet Spokesperson Maurice Merchant explained.
Cabinet emphasized that this measure is not punitive, but necessary to ensure the nation’s agricultural assets fully contribute to food security, employment, and sustainable economic resilience. Leased land left idle will be reclaimed. From today, farmers have 30 days to begin production, or the land will be reassigned to ready and qualified producers.
The Ministry of Agriculture will use its registry to match acreage with farmers who can scale their operations. Leaders stress the goal is food security, jobs, and long‑term resilience—not punishment.
Pure unadulterated garbage. No technical foundation. Eco park, agroindustrial Park? They take away Dunbars Research and Cotton Multiplication and give to Apartments and houses for their crinies! Now de want Christian Valley and Diamonds. And now,giving you ponds and dams after they fill up the existing ones for housing. And saying that they giving you benefits as farmers that you have had since 1971 with Minister Robert Hall. Farmers stand up!! Don’t let them con you!!
PROTEST THIS AGRICULTURE ADMINISTRATION!!
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Strengthening food security takes more than slogans. Aid and subsidies can provide short-term relief, but real progress depends on whether these programmes help farmers expand production and make the country less dependent on imports