The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Fisheries and the Blue Economy, today hosted a national workshop on digital solutions for horticultural crop management.

The training, held at the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), brings together extension officers, farmers, backyard gardeners, and technical officers from the Ministry for hands-on sessions in Digital Agriculture and Soil Scanning.

The activity forms part of the FAO FVC Digital Solutions Project, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening farmers’ capacity to manage data for improved decision-making across the fruit and vegetable value chain (FVC).

The project introduces innovative tools and technologies that help countries collect, analyze, and share agricultural data in real time—enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of small- and medium-scale farming operations.

Mr. Ika Fergus, FAO National Correspondent, and Mr. Adrian Bowen, National Focal Point, are spearheading the local implementation.

They emphasized that the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between traditional farming and digital transformation by equipping agricultural stakeholders with practical knowledge in data management, crop monitoring, and soil information systems.

A key focus of the workshop is soil scanning integration—a modern approach that combines field data, laboratory analyses, and satellite imagery to create detailed maps of soil types, fertility, and suitability.

Through this process, farmers and technicians can better understand the variability of their soils and make informed decisions on crop selection, fertilizer use, irrigation planning, and land management.

According to facilitators, these digital mapping tools will allow the Ministry to build a national soil information system, supporting not only horticultural development but also broader agricultural planning and climate resilience.

Participants will also be trained to upload and interpret data collected from their respective districts, ensuring that the technology is practical and community-centered.

This is another example of how innovation and information technology are transforming the way food is grown, managed, and marketed in Antigua and Barbuda.