Antigua’s National Farmers Forum: Addressing Climate Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture

Written by Shenequa Williams

On June 5th, the National Farmers Forum convened, uniting key stakeholders to tackle Climate Change and its impact on Agriculture. Presentations were delivered by Diana Ruiz from the Eastern European Financial Center, Mr. Gregory Bailey, Director of Agriculture, Mr. Dale Destin, Director of Meteorological Services, and Dr. Guilia Pastacaldi from the University of Florence. Ms. Ruiz outlined a critical project funded by the European Union, with a budget of 12 million euros from April 2019 to September 2024.

The project’s primary goal is to mitigate risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate change for both human and natural assets within the forum’s territory, which includes the Caribbean region, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The initiative is structured around four specific objectives:

1. Enhanced Forecasting and Prediction: Generating information for effective development planning.

2. Climate Incident Management: Upgrading water sector infrastructure.

3. Public Awareness and Education: Increasing climate change awareness.

4. Climate Risk Management: Improving planning at all institutional levels.

The forum emphasized the first objective, involving the establishment of networks, substations, and sensors to monitor sea level rise, storm surges, flash floods, droughts, and health threats. Significant progress includes installing automatic weather stations, training meteorologists and marine resource personnel, and disseminating climate information.

Training extension officers and farmers have highlighted challenges in understanding and responding to weather patterns. For example, in Antigua, farming plots have been adapted for efficiency, with similar initiatives region-wide. The region faces intense heat, frequent heat waves, and potential marine heat waves, emphasizing the need for improved climate predictions.

It was expressed that technological solutions are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. Building a comprehensive agricultural statistics database, including agro-meteorology and food security data, can improve policy planning. However, challenges include financial constraints, limited skilled personnel, and data privacy concerns. It was concluded that ensuring local ownership and sustainability of data management systems is vital.

Weather and climate significantly impact agriculture. Excessive rainfall or prolonged droughts can affect crop yields and livestock. High temperatures increase water demand and disrupt schedules, affecting business planning.

The forum highlighted the need to address weather and climate impacts on agriculture through improved management and predictive capabilities. Collaborative efforts and sustainable practices are essential for long-term agricultural productivity.

“The Ministry of Agriculture plays a pivotal role in Antigua and Barbuda’s quest of ensuring food security, which is a fundamental aspect of any nation’s well-being. It is responsible for developing and executing policies and strategies that promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness. Through research and technology development, effective extension services, and support to farmers, processors, and traders, the ministry works in collaboration with its development partners, to improve livelihoods and ensure a stable food supply. Objectives such as food security and emergency preparedness, income growth, increased competitiveness and market integration, sustainable land and environment management, and the application of science and technology in food and agriculture development are at the forefront of its mission. The ministry also focuses on improving institutional coordination to facilitate these goals. By investing in agricultural infrastructure, research and extension services, and adopting measures to increase purchasing power, especially in rural areas, the ministry aims to enhance both food availability and access. This comprehensive approach is crucial for addressing the unique challenges faced by developing countries in maintaining food security amid population growth and environmental challenges. The ministry’s efforts in local production, reduction of import bills, sector diversification, value addition, employment creation, and the promotion of local food consumption contribute significantly to sustainable development and food security”, Director Bailey said.