The government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched an innovative national competition to transform home gardening into a strategic food security initiative. Dubbed ‘Plant to Plate,’ the program offers substantial monetary incentives ranging from $3,500 to $7,500 for top performers in backyard cultivation.
This competition represents a cornerstone of a broader governmental strategy to mitigate dependence on imported foodstuffs, enhance community resilience, and alleviate rising living costs through domestic agricultural production. Registration is currently open through dedicated online portals, designed for accessibility on both mobile and desktop platforms. The initiative welcomes both novice and experienced gardeners, though first-time participants must complete a separate registration to be officially recognized as backyard growers prior to competition entry.
Beyond the financial rewards, which include a top prize of $7,500, a second-place award of $5,000, and $3,500 for third place, enrolled participants will gain access to expert technical support and guidance via the nation’s agricultural extension services. This comprehensive support system aims to ensure participants’ success and sustainable gardening practices.
Government officials are urging widespread and early registration, emphasizing that citizen engagement is fundamental to achieving the program’s overarching objectives: expanding local food production capabilities and fortifying national food security. The competition’s online registration for the event is available at https://shorturl.at/9zD8D, while first-time backyard gardener registration can be completed at https://shorturl.at/ag4lq.