The government is set to begin construction of two modern abattoirs as part of a sweeping effort to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda's agricultural sector and improve food security, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced on Sunday.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the announcement while speaking on the Brown and Brown Show, outlining a series of agricultural initiatives aimed at increasing local food production, reducing the cost of living, and expanding opportunities for farmers.
"Within the agriculture subsector we have the Christian Valley agro-tourism project and the agro-industrial park at Diamonds," Browne said. "Within that whole project, we also will have two abattoirs, which construction should start shortly."
The prime minister also confirmed that the government is moving ahead with the acquisition and redevelopment of the former Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) facility at Cassada Gardens. The government is spending EC$9 million to acquire the 5½-acre property, which will be converted into a food distribution and storage hub featuring cold storage, retail space, and facilities to receive produce and meat from local farmers.
"We want to position CMC to be in a position to take the produce and meats from local suppliers because that's going to be one of the major ways to drive down the cost of living," Browne said.
Browne described expanding local agricultural production as central to the government's long-term strategy for reducing the country's reliance on imported food while creating new markets for domestic producers.
The abattoirs, agro-industrial park, and upgraded CMC facility together form part of a broader programme to modernise the agricultural sector and encourage consumers to purchase locally produced food, the prime minister said.
