FAO helps farmers assess investment opportunities and preparedness of protected agriculture farms in Antigua and Barbuda

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations recently partnered with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy to conduct a week-long initiative aimed at turning local protected agriculture farms into investment-ready projects.

FAO reports that the mission brought together an initial group of 15 farmers along with over 20 government officials and private sector stakeholders. A press release from the organization shared that the main objective was to develop these farms into profitable and sustainable investment opportunities, starting with targeted training sessions, farm assessments, and interviews in the field.

Led by FAO Agribusiness Finance Specialist Dr. Omardath Maharaj, the team worked to improve the financial stability of greenhouse, hydroponic, and shade house farming systems.

The effort also supported national initiatives to expand climate-smart and digital agriculture technologies.

This project builds on previous efforts, including initiatives focused on water security, nature-based solutions on model farms, and the Water–Energy–Food Nexus sub-project under the Mexico–CARICOM–FAO Partnership, which aimed to promote climate resilience in the Caribbean two years earlier.

The mission aimed to enhance existing investments in water management, digital tools, and protected crop cultivation by leveraging FAO’s ongoing work in climate-resilient farming in Antigua and Barbuda. This was achieved through collecting operational and financial data directly from farms and assessing market demand. These efforts laid the foundation for creating viable business models that could attract investment and foster sustainable agricultural innovations.

A key component of the mission was a workshop titled “From Data to Dollars: Building a Profitable & Resilient Farm Business,” held on December 1, 2025, at the Agricultural Extension Division in St. John’s. About 19 participants, including extension officers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and protected agriculture farmers, received training on how to link farm records and production costs to investment-ready business plans.

Reportedly, Ms. Kathleen Forde, a local farmer from Seasonz Hydroponics Farm who attended the workshop, shared her appreciation for the training and its relevance. She expressed hope that the insights gained would improve her farm operations and the country’s agricultural productivity, describing the session and field tour as “timely and informative.”

Mr. Ika Fergus, Acting Chief Extension Officer and FAO National Correspondent, noted that the mission’s results align closely with the goals of the Ministry of Agriculture. He explained that the developed business models offer farmers clear financial justifications and planning tools to promote commercialization and attract investment, especially in climate-resilient protected systems.

A per the release, Dr. Maharaj also highlighted that discussions with major buyers, including supermarkets and hotels, indicated strong demand for high-value crops such as tomatoes, lettuce, and bell peppers. Follow-up farm surveys and stakeholder consultations with the Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) and Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy helped confirm market demand and operational realities.

He emphasized that “Farmers are ready to adopt new technologies, but they need viable business plans to secure financing. This mission helped bridge that gap.”

The next phase of the project will involve analyzing the collected data to develop five customized business cases by February 2026.

These cases will assist farmers in obtaining financing and support the Ministry’s efforts to attract investment into a more sustainable, resilient, and profitable agricultural sector. The goal is to promote import substitution and improve livelihoods across the country.

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