The government of Antigua and Barbuda is encouraging farmers to increase production of five key agricultural crops — sweet potatoes, cassava, sweet peppers, tomatoes and onions — as part of a new initiative aimed at strengthening food security and expanding domestic agricultural production.
Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith outlined the initiative during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, explaining that the Ministry of Agriculture will use its expanded land-clearing programme to encourage greater cultivation of these crops.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant, speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, said the Agricultural Extension Division will actively encourage and incentivize farmers to prioritize the five commodities.
While farmers participating in the programme will not be restricted to growing these crops, the government intends to promote their production as part of a wider strategy to increase the local supply of essential agricultural products.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to bring more agricultural land into active production while addressing the cost and availability of land preparation services, which the ministry has identified as challenges facing farmers.
According to Merchant, the government has repossessed approximately 680 acres of agricultural land that had not been placed into production.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also authorized its Agricultural Extension Division to provide land-clearing services to existing and prospective farmers across several agricultural districts.
Under the first phase of the programme, land-clearing services have been provided for a combined 102 acres across five major agricultural districts.
The areas include the southeast, south-central, northeast, southwest and northwest agricultural districts, with additional communities being considered for subsequent phases.
Both registered farmers and prospective new farmers, particularly young people interested in agriculture, will be eligible to benefit from the initiative.
However, beneficiaries will be required to establish a viable crop within 90 days of the completion of land-clearing services.
The requirement is intended to ensure that land prepared with government assistance is placed into productive agricultural use rather than remaining idle.
Merchant said Cabinet welcomed the initiative as part of the government’s efforts to increase the amount of land under cultivation and improve domestic food production.
The programme is also expected to reduce some of the initial financial challenges associated with preparing farmland, allowing more farmers to begin or expand agricultural operations.
By encouraging the cultivation of sweet potatoes, cassava, sweet peppers, tomatoes and onions, the government hopes to increase the availability of these commodities in the local market.
The Ministry of Agriculture is expected to provide further details on the programme, including the incentives available to farmers and arrangements for accessing land-clearing assistance.
The initiative forms part of the government’s wider agricultural development programme, which also includes investments in water storage infrastructure, the construction and rehabilitation of dams and additional support for farmers across Antigua and Barbuda.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Targets Increased Production of Sweet Potatoes, Cassava, Peppers, Tomatoes and Onions.