The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has officially relaunched a decades-old youth agriculture initiative, aimed at boosting youth interest in the field of agricultural development and food security.
Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Anthony Smith, unveiled plans to revitalize the Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture Forum for Youths (ABAFY), a programme that he said had previously fallen dormant due to lack of institutional support.
Originally established over 20 years ago, ABAFY’s goal was to create pathways for youth involvement in the agricultural sector.
Former ABAFY Director Carol-Faye Bynoe-George provided an historical overview of the organization, while former ABAFY President and current Extension Officer Ika Fergus shared insights into the forum’s development role.
The initiative, supported by Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher and Director Gregory Bailey, comes with backing from regional bodies including the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
Craig Thomas, IICA’s National Representative and ABAFY’s First President in 2001, shared his vision for youth-driven agricultural opportunities, IICA commitment and his personal endorsement for ABAFY.
The Minister, during the announcement which appeared on the Ministry’s website, also emphasized the programme’s focus on combining traditional farming practices with modern entrepreneurial approaches.
“We are not just relaunching an organization, we are re-invigorating our commitment to a sustainable agricultural future,” Smith said.
The revival comes at a crucial time when agricultural development has become increasingly central to the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
ABAFY’s reintroduction will primarily target extension officers, secondary agricultural science students and young farmers.
According to ministry officials, the programme will implement training initiatives and provide resources to equip participants with industry-relevant skills, including scholarships, internships, training and participation in local, regional and international forums.