Markets

In Antigua, a Push for Local Produce

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - February 2, 2013

Above: a garden in Antigua

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is urging citizens to buy locally-sourced food and produce as part of a campaign aimed at boosting the “health and wealth” of the nation.

The “buy local” campaign, being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, looks to reduce the country’s high import bill and move closer to “food sovereignty,” according to Extension Officer Owalabi Elabanjo.

While farmers in Antigua had been rising to the challenge, Elabanjo said, buyers are not following suit.

“People are not buying as we expected, so this year we will increase awareness to buy local and utilize fresh food,” the extension officer said. “It’s good to have production, but if people are not buying in volume, for both consumption and utilization, it’s going to affect the farmers.”

Elabanjo pointed to a “paradox” of the apparent “sophisticated way of eating, like using more frozen foods or eating from the can,” when doing so can be less healthy than the local alternative.

“We will be sensitizing the public through a campaign to buy local, eat fresh and to be concerned with their health and our economy,” Elabanjo said. “We want to let consumers know that once the food is available, they should support the farmers, because when you do this, you support our economy and your own health.”

Antigua launched a backyard gardening initiative last year. part of a Caribbean-wide trend to encourage locally-grown produce.

Popular Posts ian fleming villa with beach and green trees

American Airlines Begins New Ocho Rios, Jamaica Flights, With a Nod to James Bond 

Ian Fleming began writing the book that would become Casino Royale at his seaside villa in the town of Oracabessa, Jamaica in February 1952.  It was here on the outskirts of Ocho Rios that Fleming would forge the story of […]


A New All-Inclusive W Hotel Is Opening This Year in Punta Cana 

w punta cana

The first-ever all-inclusive W Hotel in the Caribbean is opening this year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The hotel, part of a broad expansion for parent company Marriott International, is on the list of expected 2024 […]


Why Grenada Is a New Caribbean Luxury Hotspot

beach house silversands

From its world-renowned chocolate to its pristine beaches to a region-leading focus on sustainability, Grenada is as fascinating and unique as destination as you’ll find in the Caribbean.  But in the last few years, the lush Eastern Caribberan island has […]


Related Posts

St Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan Sign Agreement on Agriculture

Above: St Kitts (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff St Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting cooperation in the agricultural sector. The agreement represents a “new phase of cooperation in agriculture […]


In St Croix, Celebrating "Local"

Above: produce at the St. Croix Agriculture and Food Fair (All photos by CJ) By Alexander Britell ST CROIX — “Easy now. It’s hot.” That’s the warning from Velma Cruz, who’s been bringing her hot sauce to St Croix’s Agriculture […]


Tourism and Caribbean Agriculture

By the Caribbean Journal staff As more and more countries in a tourism-dependent region make the push to restore their agriculture industries, exploring linkages between agriculture and tourism is a “natural fit,” according to Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Haralsingh. […]


SUBSCRIBE!

Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net.


No. Thank You