The government has announced a major strategic investment to transform the recently acquired former Kent’s Club property into a national agricultural headquarters. Minister Smith revealed to Parliament that over $9 million has been allocated to secure the five-acre site, which will be developed into a comprehensive agricultural hub serving farmers, processors, and consumers nationwide.
The redevelopment plan includes construction of state-of-the-art cold-storage and dry-storage facilities, enabling the Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) to purchase bulk produce directly from local farmers and distribute to the public from the new location. Existing structures on the compound will undergo significant upgrades while additional facilities will be constructed to support expanded operations.
A cornerstone of the new complex will be a purpose-built agro-processing facility designed to support local producers in developing and marketing value-added goods. The minister highlighted artisanal products including wines, jams, specialty breads, and processed foods typically created by small businesses as primary beneficiaries of this initiative. The broader agro-industrial support center will be situated within Kasada Gardens.
Minister Smith emphasized that the revitalized CMC aims to strengthen domestic food systems rather than compete with private retailers. Addressing opposition criticism, he cited a Cabinet-commissioned customs study revealing CMC’s import volumes are ‘minuscule’ compared to major supermarkets, representing merely ‘a drop in the bucket’ of total imports.
The corporation’s dual mandate focuses on supporting local agricultural producers through guaranteed purchases while simultaneously working to reduce living costs for vulnerable households. Smith underscored CMC’s critical role in ensuring low-income families maintain access to quality proteins and fresh produce, characterizing the organization as an essential social tool for improving nutritional outcomes and affordability.
This redevelopment initiative follows a remarkable financial turnaround for CMC. When the current administration took office in 2014, the corporation was reportedly insolvent, burdened by debt, and struggling to meet payroll obligations. Today, CMC maintains millions in reserves—a transformation attributed to strategic Cabinet decisions and effective leadership from management and the board.