Profile

The Antigua and Barbuda economy is dominated by the service sector, led by tourism, and a relatively small agriculture sector, comprising less than 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The value of such contributions averaged US$121.5 million over the 2001-2004 period, led by fisheries, which contributed 50% of the total.

In spite of these economic indicators, the weight of the contribution of agricultural activity must be measured in its significant contribution to employment of approximately 5,000 persons, including female producers, food security and social welfare, that supports the current Human Development Index (HDI) rank of 55. The continued development of the food, agriculture and natural resources sector is critical to maintain and improve the HDI, as well as contribute to economic growth.

Investment opportunities

Within the agriculture and agribusiness sector, Antigua and Barbuda has seen success in recent years. According to the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority potential exists for growth in:

  • Pineapples – The ‘Antigua Black Pineapple’ which grows in dark, loamy soil is renowned for its sweetness.  It is now recognized as an international brand and is sold in Norwegian supermarkets at a premium price
  • Poultry – Antigua & Barbuda is a net importer of poultry and there are plans to develop the sector to make Antigua & Barbuda a net exporter of poultry products
  • Sea Island Cotton – The production of sea-island cotton is being perfected in Antigua & Barbuda. It commands high export prices and is revered among Japanese connoisseurs for its quality. With financial support from the government and the Antigua & Barbuda Development Bank, 30 acres were put into cultivation. Participating farmers would their crop to a co-op for further processing into lint and yarn. Finished goods are being sold to retail outlets in the Caribbean and further afield
  • Replacement of food imports – Opportunities exists to export fresh food to other Caribbean countries which have a combined food import bill of some USD $5 billion. Whilst it is not viable to replace all of the processed food imports there is significant potential to replace fresh food imports.

Main Activities

In Antigua and Barbuda, crop production, mainly vegetables, root crops, hot pepper and limited production in a range of fruit crops: mango, melon, cantaloupe, citrus, soursop and guava) contributes about 30% to agriculture value-added.

Livestock includes cattle, poultry and small ruminant production (especially goats) and provide important contributions to the total agricultural contributions (19%).

According to the Commonwealth Network , fisheries contribute about half of the GDP from all agricultural sectors, or about 2% of the national GDP (2008). The fishing industry employs about 1200 fishers in the primary sector, and at least 50 individuals in the secondary sector. Antigua and Barbuda has fairly extensive fishing grounds, with a shelf area of 3568 km and a coastline of 260 km.

The country’s fisheries are primarily composed of the marine and inland sub-sectors. The marine sub-sector is almost exclusively artisanal or small-scale commercial fishing in nature. In the past all marine fishing was conducted from small wooden pirogues powered by sail or paddle, but the industry has undergone a significant modernisation over the past thirty years.

An innovative project is the ‘National Backyard Gardening Programme’, an initiative aimed at getting the population to produce 4 million pounds of food annually in peoples’ own backyards. This programme, with 2,500 families, has seen a rise in the production of tomato, sweet pepper, okra, lettuce and herbs such as rosemary and thyme.

Organisation

 

No.Name (Acronym):Type of Business / Role(s)Contact Person/ Designation / Postal AddressContact Information
1.Bethesda Womens GroupAS-F / PS-PBethesda Village, St Paul’s, AntiguaTel: 268-463-5316
2.St John’s Fisherman CooperativeAS-F / OT – lobbying, PS-PKeeling Point, Box 727, St John’s, Antigua

 

Tel: 268-462-0800
Fax: 268-460-9595
Email: redcross@candw.ag

 

3.Antigua -Barbuda Fishermen Alliance Inc.AS-F / OT – lobbying, PS-Pc/o Nunes Hardware, Box 1124, Church & Cross Streets, St John’s, Antigua

Tel: 268-462-1962
Fax: 268-462-3119
Email: nunes@candw.ag

4.Barbuda Fishermen Cooperative SocietyAS-F / OT – lobbying, PS-Pc/o Barbuda Council, Codrington, BarbudaTel: 268-773-2548
5.Wadadli Herbs & Spices Cooperative SocietyAS-F / PS-Pc/o Agricultural Extension Division, Box 1030, St John’s, AntiguaTel: 268-460-2310
6.Antigua Lettuce Farmers CooperativeAS-F / OT – lobbying, PS-PAll Saints VillageTel: 268-461-3394
7.Antigua-Barbuda Livestock Improvement Cooperative SocietyAS-F / OT – lobbying, PS-PFactory Road, St John’s, Antigua 
8.Antigua-Barbuda Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd (ABC)AS-F / OT – lobbying, PS-PBox 3070, Belmont Estate, Antigua

Tel: 268-562-2983
Email: alnov@candw.ag

9.High Quality Seedling NurseryPRV / PS-SSeatons VillageTel: 268-774-4392
10.Antigua Farm and GardenPRV / PS-SBox 1236, Cross & Redcliffe Streets, St John’s, Antigua

Tel: 268-462-4945
Fax: 268-462-0225

11.CPR Equipment Services LtdPRV / PS-SBox 1129, Cassada Gardens, St John’s, Antigua

Tel: 268-462-3339
 Fax: 268-462-3341

12.Animal Health CentrePRV / PS-S, EXBox 2187, Clare Hall, St John’s

Tel: 268-463-9449
Fax: 268-462-6833
Email: gikonyok@candw.ag

13.ARK Veterinary Clinic & KennelsPRV / PS-S, EXBox 1155, Vivian Richards Street, St John’s, Antigua

Tel: 268-460-8852
Fax: 268-463-7837

14.Cedar Veterinary Clinic & KennelsPRV / PS-S, EXBox W300, Royals Estate, Hodges Bay, St John’s

Tel: 268-562-6838
Fax: 268-461-4910

15.Island Veterinary Service & SuppliesPRV / PS-S, EXBox 357, Lunar Park, St John’s, Antigua

Tel: 268-562-2661
Fax: 268-460-8770
Email: wattlake@candw.ag

16.Dr Helena Clare JeffreyPRV / PS-S, EXBox W152, Radio Range, St John’sTel: 268-560-4181
17.Pioneer KennelsPRV / PS-S, EXBox 1520, Barth Lodge, St John’s, Antigua

Tel: 268-463-6794
Fax: 268-560-3017
Email: pioneerkennels@candw.ag

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