ST. JOHN'S Antigua, January 12th, 2012 -  January 9, 2012, St. John: Antigua – Against the backdrop of scarce resources, unseasonal rainfall and the instability of input /implements prices on the world market in 2011, the Ministry Of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment (MALHE) has made significant inroads maneuvering these challenges hampering its performance, thanks to the Government assistance offered to bone-fide producers.

Much emphasis was placed throughout 2011 on programs directed towards the Agriculture’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and the thrust of achieving Food and Livelihood Security.

Director of Agriculture Mr. Jedidiah Maxime said, a three –pronged approach was taken with overarching objectives, “to assist in modernization of the sector through strategic alliance with stakeholders and regional and international organizations, provision of incentives for entrepreneurs especially for youths to establish agriculture businesses and the protection and development of the sector by utilizing the environment in a sustainable manner.”

Significant efforts were made in the areas of research and development towards the development of Food and Livelihood Security. “The Agricultural Extension Division and the Research Station will be collaborating in trials to demonstrate the performance of new varieties of tomatoes, sweet peppers and other vegetables. Additionally; research is continuing on Irish Potato to determine the commercial feasibility of the appropriate varieties for production.

To this end, Mr. Maxime explained trials were undertaken successfully in 2010-2011 to produce on a semi-commercial basis the Irish Potato.

Meanwhile, the Christian Valley and Green Castle Stations are continuing their programme of fruit trees and seedlings production. It is anticipated that the combine effort will produce some 10,000 seedlings of fruit trees varieties in 2012.

At Cades Bay Pineapple and Propagation Station approximately (8) eight acres of pineapples planted at the Cades Bay Propagation Station should generate an estimated revenue of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the 2012 harvesting cycle, the director outlined.

With the increased services to the private sector in the areas of affordable tractor services to farmers in the various agricultural districts, productivity of vegetables and root crops and management and control of swarms on the agenda, the ministry has widened the benefits with earmarking of approximately, three hundred (300) acres of land for crop production in 2012.

Several trainings were also conducted with farmers and producers in the areas of crop production technology, integrated pest management and good agricultural practices.

As it relates to cotton, the director of agriculture noted “the purity and quality” of the Sea Island Cotton Germplasm is priority as required by the Market.

“The ministry is continuing its technical management of the Sea Island cotton in a manner that allows for the development of a robust local Cotton Industry in areas of research and technology,” said Mr. Maxime.

In January 2011, an agreement was reached between Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment, and the Cooperative West Indian Sea Island Cotton Japan Project (CWISICJP), for the export of the Indigenous Antigua Sea Island Cotton.

“This agreement allows the Ministry of Agriculture to supply a minimum of 20,000 lbs of Sea Island cotton lint annually at U.S. $10.00 per lbs, which equates to US $ 200,000 in revenue annually.”

For, the 2011 -2012 season approximately 50 acres is under production.

With regards the private agriculture projects facilitated by the ministry a $1 –million dollar Agricultural Investment project geared towards the sustainable development of the eight species of Avocado varieties in Antigua & Barbuda is currently underway at Gaynor’s.

This project is being developed by Avikado Antigua Ltd.

The project has an underlined objective to develop a handling and processing facility in an effort to strengthen the agro-processing industry.

Several hundreds of avocado trees are being planted with advantages ranging from increased local employment in the agricultural industry, impact on food security, reduction of imported avocado and its by products, Training and capacity building for technical staff at the ministry of Agriculture, savings of foreign exchange and Diversification of the economy.

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