The government of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an immediate directive to commence construction on the Diamonds Estate Agro-Industrial Park, declaring the initiative a critical component of the nation’s strategy to enhance food security and economic stability. The urgent mandate was delivered by Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, during a recent Cabinet briefing.
Emphasizing the administration’s serious commitment, Merchant stated that the Gaston Browne government views food security as an utmost national priority. This sense of urgency has been magnified by recent global disruptions to shipping lanes and international supply chains, exposing vulnerabilities in the nation’s food import dependency.
The planned Agro-Industrial Park is designed to tackle deep-rooted structural deficiencies within the domestic agricultural sector. Key challenges targeted include significant post-harvest losses, a lack of value-added processing capabilities, and overall supply chain inefficiencies. The facility will concentrate on cultivating priority crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and various legumes.
Implementation will emphasize the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, including modern irrigation systems for efficient water use, mechanization, and sophisticated post-harvest management techniques. A core objective is to boost local processing and value-addition, enabling domestically grown produce to displace a substantial portion of food imports while simultaneously creating improved market pathways for local farmers.
This project is not standalone but rather a pivotal element of a broader governmental strategy. This comprehensive plan includes initiatives to ramp up local production volumes, supply essential equipment to farmers, and reduce duties and taxes on crucial agricultural inputs. Further operational details regarding implementation and access for farmers and agri-businesses are anticipated to be released as project work gets underway.