The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARDC) is pushing for meaningful participation — not token representation — from small-scale farmers, fishers, and persons with disabilities in shaping how Antigua and Barbuda manages its biodiversity.
According to Antigua Observer, GARDC Director June Jackson said the center's outreach efforts are designed to go well beyond standard consultation exercises, ensuring that traditionally marginalized voices carry genuine weight in national biodiversity planning.
Jackson emphasized that simply giving these groups a seat at the table is not enough. The center's approach aims to translate grassroots perspectives into actionable policy, recognizing that those who work the land and sea daily possess critical, on-the-ground knowledge that formal planning processes often overlook.
Small-scale farmers and fishers form a vital part of Antigua and Barbuda's economic and environmental fabric. Their livelihoods are directly tied to the health of the nation's ecosystems, making their inclusion in biodiversity decision-making both a matter of social equity and practical necessity.
The GARDC's initiative reflects a broader recognition that inclusive governance in environmental planning leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes. By actively bringing persons with disabilities into the conversation as well, the center is working to ensure that biodiversity strategies serve all segments of Antiguan and Barbudan society.
