–by Shenequa Williams- The Ministry of Agriculture has officially welcomed its largest-ever group of summer interns, with this year’s programme doubling in size compared to last year.
Following the success of the inaugural programme, the Ministry has expanded its intake from 15 interns in 2025 to more than 30 interns this year. The increase reflects the growing interest among students and the Ministry’s continued commitment to providing meaningful work experience while inspiring the next generation of agricultural and public sector professionals.
This year’s interns represent a diverse cross-section of schools from across Antigua and Barbuda, including Antigua Girls’ High School, Princess Margaret Secondary School, Pares Secondary School, Jennings Secondary School, Clare Hall Secondary School, Ottos Comprehensive School, All Saints Secondary School, Sir Novelle Richards Academy, Sir McChesney George Secondary School in Barbuda, and the Antigua & Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS).
The programme has also expanded to include students from two private institutions for the first time—Adele School and the Seventh-day Adventist School—broadening its reach and providing valuable opportunities to an even wider range of students.
Another encouraging feature of this year’s programme is the return of seven interns from the 2025 cohort. Their decision to return reflects the positive experiences they gained last year and highlights the value of the internship in building practical skills, confidence, and career awareness.
Throughout the summer, interns will participate in a wide range of practical, hands-on activities designed to expose them to the many facets of agriculture. They will visit farms and agricultural facilities across Antigua. These experiences will provide students with a greater appreciation of the sector while helping them develop new skills and gain a better understanding of the important role agriculture plays in national development.
The Ministry of Agriculture is proud of the remarkable growth of the Summer Internship Programme in just its second year. By doubling the number of participants and welcoming students from an even broader range of schools, the Ministry continues to demonstrate its commitment to investing in the nation’s youth and cultivating the next generation of leaders in agriculture and public service.
The Ministry extends a warm welcome to all interns and wishes them a rewarding, educational, and successful summer as they embark on this exciting journey.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Ministry of Agriculture Doubles Summer Internship Programme in 2026.