A week-long mission led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, has moved to transform local protected agriculture farms into bankable investment opportunities.

The initiative brought together 15 farmers along with more than 20 government officials and private sector stakeholders, focusing on strengthening the financial viability of greenhouse, hydroponic and shade house farming systems. 

The effort forms part of wider national plans to modernise the agricultural sector and scale up climate-smart and digital farming technologies.

Led by FAO Agribusiness Finance Specialist Dr Omardath Maharaj, the mission included agribusiness training, farm surveys and field interviews aimed at gathering operational and financial data and confirming market demand. 

This groundwork is intended to support the development of investment-ready business cases capable of attracting financing and supporting sustainable agricultural growth.

The intervention builds on earlier FAO-supported initiatives in Antigua and Barbuda, including projects targeting water security, nature-based solutions and the Water–Energy–Food Nexus sub-project under the Mexico–CARICOM–FAO Initiative on climate change adaptation and resilience.

One of the key components 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. 

Nineteen participants, including extension officers, agri-entrepreneurs and protected agriculture farmers, were trained in linking farm records and cost-of-production data to business models suitable for investment.

Local farmer Kathleen Forde of Seasonz Hydroponics Farm, who participated in the training, described the session and accompanying field tour as “timely and informative,” adding that she hopes the analysis will improve farm operations and boost national agricultural output.

Acting Chief Extension Officer and FAO National Correspondent Ika Fergus said the mission aligns directly with the Ministry’s strategic goals. 

“The developed business models will provide farmers with clear financial justifications and planning tools to advance commercialisation and attract investment, particularly in protected agriculture systems critical for climate resilience,” he said.

Maharaj noted that meetings with major buyers, including supermarkets and hotels, revealed strong import demand for high-value crops such as tomatoes, lettuces and bell peppers. He said follow-up farm surveys and consultations with stakeholders, including the Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Development Corporation and Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy, helped validate both market demand and on-the-ground operational realities.

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

The next phase of the project will focus on analysing the data collected, with five tailored business cases expected to be completed by February 2026. These are intended to support farmers seeking financing and assist the Ministry in attracting investment into a more sustainable, resilient and profitable agricultural sector.