A groundbreaking agricultural development mission has concluded in Antigua and Barbuda, marking a significant step toward modernizing the nation’s farming sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in collaboration with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy, has successfully completed a comprehensive week-long program designed to transform local protected agriculture operations into financially viable investment opportunities.
The initiative brought together 15 pioneering farmers alongside more than 20 government officials and private sector representatives. Under the guidance of FAO Agribusiness Finance Specialist Dr. Omardath Maharaj, the program focused on enhancing the economic sustainability of various farming systems including greenhouse, hydroponic, and shade house operations through targeted training sessions, thorough farm assessments, and extensive field interviews.
This project represents a strategic expansion of previous agricultural development efforts in the region, building upon initiatives addressing water security, nature-based farming solutions, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus sub-project under the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Partnership established two years prior to promote climate resilience throughout the Caribbean.
A cornerstone of the mission was the specialized workshop ‘From Data to Dollars: Building a Profitable & Resilient Farm Business,’ conducted on December 1, 2025, at the Agricultural Extension Division in St. John’s. The session attracted approximately 19 participants including extension officers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and protected agriculture farmers, providing them with essential skills to connect farm records and production costs with investment-ready business planning.
Market analysis conducted during the mission revealed substantial demand from major buyers including supermarkets and hotels for high-value crops such as tomatoes, lettuce, and bell peppers. These findings were validated through comprehensive farm surveys and stakeholder consultations with key entities including the Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Development Corporation and Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy.
Ms. Kathleen Forde of Seasonz Hydroponics Farm, one of the participating farmers, described the training as ‘timely and informative,’ expressing optimism that the acquired knowledge would significantly enhance both her farm operations and the nation’s overall agricultural productivity.
Mr. Ika Fergus, Acting Chief Extension Officer and FAO National Correspondent, emphasized the mission’s alignment with ministerial objectives, noting that the developed business models provide farmers with clear financial justifications and planning tools necessary for commercialization and investment attraction, particularly in climate-resilient protected systems.
The project’s next phase, scheduled for completion by February 2026, will involve detailed analysis of collected data to develop five customized business cases. These cases will directly support farmers in securing financing while assisting the Ministry in attracting investments toward building a more sustainable, resilient, and profitable agricultural sector focused on import substitution and improved national livelihoods.