The government has secured a US$9 million grant to finance the construction of dams, water catchment ponds and other water conservation infrastructure as part of a major effort to strengthen food security and expand agricultural production in Antigua and Barbuda.

The announcement was made during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing after Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. updated Cabinet on the funding, which will be provided through the Caribbean Development Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Soil and Water Management Programme.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the grant will support the construction of dams, water catchment ponds and other critical soil and water management infrastructure across the country.

He said the initiative forms a key part of the government’s strategy to increase domestic food production, improve water security for farmers and reduce reliance on expensive desalinated water for agricultural use.

“The initiative is expected to significantly enhance irrigation capacity and provide farmers with more reliable access to water, particularly during periods of drought and prolonged dry seasons,” Merchant said.

Merchant disclosed that eight locations have already been identified for the construction of dams, while two additional sites have been selected for large-scale “super dams.”

He said the facilities will create a national water storage network designed to capture and retain water for agricultural purposes, improving the resilience of the farming sector during increasingly dry conditions.

The government believes the investment will strengthen the country’s long-term food security strategy by ensuring farmers have a more dependable supply of irrigation water while reducing production costs associated with purchasing desalinated water.

The grant represents one of the largest recent investments in agricultural water infrastructure and comes as the government continues to prioritize greater domestic food production and climate resilience.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: US$9 Million Grant to Fund Dams and Water Catchment Projects Across Antigua and Barbuda.