Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government plans to invest heavily in transforming the former Glanvilles Secondary School into a major agricultural training institution as Antigua and Barbuda seeks to strengthen food security and attract more young people to farming.

Speaking on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said the facility will become part of the country’s wider agricultural infrastructure and help train a new generation of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

“We have to spend a significant amount of money,” Browne said. “From what I saw based on the budget, we have to put at least a million dollars in the school.”

The Prime Minister said the government wants the institution to focus on practical agricultural education, including crop production, poultry farming and modern farming techniques.

“What we want to do here is to have that school as part of the agricultural infrastructure to train and develop farmers,” Browne said.

Browne warned that Antigua and Barbuda remains highly vulnerable because of its dependence on imported food and global supply chains.

“We are one of the most food insecure countries in the world and we have to do something about it,” he said.

The Prime Minister said geopolitical tensions and potential trade disruptions have made it increasingly important for the country to expand domestic food production.

“With these geopolitical tensions and the potential for disruption, we have to take our food security issues seriously,” Browne said.

He said the government particularly wants younger people to view farming as a viable business opportunity.

“Unfortunately, most of the people who are farming are at best middle-aged to senior citizens,” Browne said. “We need young people involved in farming and to see farming as a business.”

According to Browne, students at the school will be trained in areas including hydroponics, poultry rearing and crop production, while agriculture programmes are also expected to expand across the wider school system.

“As far as I’m concerned, all the secondary schools must be involved in a significant agriculture programme,” Browne said.

The Prime Minister said the government is also investing in broader agricultural infrastructure, including two new abattoirs and a planned food emporium facility at Cassada Gardens.