Antigua and Barbuda imports more than EC$250 million worth of food each year, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has disclosed while urging residents to support local farmers.

Browne made the remarks Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM as he discussed the country’s food security and the need to increase agricultural production.

“We import over a quarter-billion dollars a year in food products into this country,” Browne said.

The prime minister said the level of food imports provides a substantial market for local farmers who can produce consistently.

He encouraged farmers to treat agriculture as both a science and a business, rather than simply planting crops without proper planning, training or reliable access to water.

Browne said farmers should be trained in modern agricultural practices, including irrigation methods and technologies that could help conserve water.

He also called on consumers to change their purchasing habits and give greater support to produce grown in Antigua and Barbuda.

The prime minister said residents sometimes regard imported products as superior because of their appearance, even when locally grown alternatives may be cheaper and more nutritious.

He encouraged shoppers to select locally grown produce, including potatoes, instead of choosing imported items solely because they appear cleaner or more polished.

Browne said increased local production would help Antigua and Barbuda reduce its dependence on imported food and strengthen the country’s ability to withstand possible global supply-chain disruptions.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: Antigua and Barbuda Imports More Than EC$250 Million in Food Annually.