Antigua and Barbuda is working to expand its stock of Antigua Black Pineapple plants to 200,000 as part of efforts to revive the prized local fruit.

Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. said 15,000 plants are already in the ground, while another 15,000 are being produced through tissue culture propagation in St. Vincent.

The country is also expected to have its own Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory fully operational by October. The facility will allow planting material to be multiplied locally and help farmers increase production more quickly.

Smith said the initiative combines agriculture, science and technology to protect the Antigua Black Pineapple while strengthening national food security.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Targets 200,000 Black Pineapple Plants.