Read the Agri-fest Newsletter - Antigua & Barbuda

February, 2011 VOL 1 ISSUE 1
Antigua takes top positions
Welcome Back Team 2011
The Antigua & Barbuda team comprised, Sharon
Peters (Permanent Secretary), Sereno Benjamin
(chairman of the Planning Committee), Owolabi
Elabanjo (Extension Officer), Dalma Hill (General
Manager Central Marketing Co-operation), Onika
Campbell (Communications Co-ordinator), Diahn
Gomes (Animal Health Assistant), Irose Henry (Cades
Bay Station Manager), Tracelyn Michael (CMC
Marketing Manager), Ernestine Nesbitt and other
private sector representatives and farmers.
Also, showcasing Antigua and Barbuda Authentic
crafts and produce are Twin –I Payne (Farmer of
Twinstod Enterprise), Bernadette Francis of (Fab
Weave) and Alvis Abbott (Early Childhood
Education), Evette Williams , Dorothy Pelle, Icilma
Bleau , Kwsi Bleau, Andrea Douglas and Jeanette
Galloway. Antigua own Suzies’ hot-sauce, and the
signature Black pineapple are also on display at the
Exhibition. Agri-fair encourages attendees to take the
time to speak to local farmers, artisans, horticulturists,
and business representatives. A unique and special
opportunity to network with business and socialize in a
relaxed environment was created.
Judges at the St. Croix agri –fest make their rounds at the
country’s main booth
Private Farmer Twin –I Payne shows –off
commodities from his farm
Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the
Environment
Communications Department
Ph 268.462.1007 ext 246
Phone. 268.562.6224
Independence Drive, St. Johns
Antigua
Email: Onika.Campbell@gmail.com
www.agricultureantiguabarbuda.com

AGRI –FEST REPORTS
SUCCESSES
Officials met at the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the
Environment during a press conference, Thursdays’ to highlight the
achievements of Antigua & Barbuda’s participation in the recently held
Agri –fest in St. Croix between February 19-21.
The press conference comprised the Minister of Agriculture, Lands,
Housing & the Environment Hilson Baptiste, his Minister of State
Chanlah Codrington, chairman of the Agri –fest Committee Sereno
Benjamin, Central Marketing Corporation Manager (CMC) Dalma Hill,
Diahn Gomes Animal Health Assistant, youth farmer Twin I –Payne of
Twinstod Enterprise Ltd, and other members of the team.
Participants of the Agri-fest celebrate following a
press conference
Meanwhile, Chairman of Agri –fest planning
Committee Sereno Benjamin listed
opportunities for training and capacity
building.
Benjamin reported the exchange yielded deep
commitment to the mutual advancement of
the sectors for both countries especially in
areas of training and capacity building.
Permanent Secretary Sharon Peters headed
the negotiations in St. Croix.
Achievements
O Exportation of solid Germsplasm of
Mangoes to Antigua & Barbuda from St.
Croix
Export opportunities for onions, carrots,
sweet potatoes
O Training in grafting/ capacity building for
officers from St. Croix
O Training in Aqua –culture development
O The continuation of the artificial
insemination of Senopole.
The genetic introduction of white hair sheep
into Antigua and Barbuda
Minister Baptiste highlighted areas of collaboration developed between
the regions (Antigua & St. Croix), especially as it relates to the exportation
of agricultural produce.
The minister thanked the team for their dedication, commitment and result
oriented achievements during the trip to St. Croix.
Sereno Benjamin (Chairman of the Agri-fest Committee), Minister of Chanlah
Codrington and Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment
Hilson Baptiste

Showcasing …
Antigua and Barbuda’s team to the 40th, agrifest
in St Croix has made significant inroads
with dialogues and concretized trading, training
and other business opportunities for the twin –
island nation.
LOCAL COMMODITIES ON
DISPLAY
The festival, which ran from February 19-21,
includes exhibitors, farmers, artisans,
horticulturists and business representatives.
As part of the teams’ effort to secure avenues
for export opportunities, a discussion was
facilitated from the studios of WSTX Radio in
St. Croix, on the show Straight Talk with
Senator Holland Redfield and Observer Radio
Studio in Antigua, Voice of the People with
Winston Derrick.
Arising from that historic simulcast discussion
between Minister of Agriculture, Lands,
Housing & the Environment Hilson Baptiste of
Antigua and Dr. Louis Petersen, Commissioner
of Agriculture of St. Croix, an agreement, was
reached that opportunity for trade exists
between the two countries. Especially, as it
relates to fresh agricultural produce.
From left: Owolabi Elabanjo (extension officer), Sharon Peters (Permanent Secretary),
Tracelyn Michael (CMC Marketing Manager), Dalma Hill (CMC General Manager),
Sereno Benjamin (Extension Officer/ Committee Chairman ), and Icilma Bleau
Jedidiah Maxime, Acting Director of
Agriculture, Dalma Hill CMC General Manager
and Sereno Benjamin Extension Officer were in
studios Observer Radio and WSTX,
respectively, providing technical support.
A further agreement was reached during a
subsequent discussion between Dr. Louis
Petersen and Permanent Secretary Sharon Peters
that Antigua and Barbuda could benefit from
training opportunities, networking of technical
and capacity building in areas of agricultural
business development.
Irose Henry (Cades Bay General Manager), Sharon Peters (Permanent Secretary ), Diahn Gomes
(Animal Health Assistant), Sereno Benjamin (Extension Officer), Twin –I Payne (Manager Twinstod
Enterprise/ owner of Stall), and Alvis Abbott (Early Childhood Education)

Agri –Fest Deepened Commitment
Permanent Secretary Sharon Peters led a team comprising Sereno Benjamin Extension Officer and
Dalma Hill General Manager of the Central Marketing Corporation to meet with the Dr. Louis
Petersen Commissioner of Agriculture on St. Croix –which firmed up other areas of opportunities
and schedule a round table visit for Dr. Petersen in Antigua. Through that session an avenue was
created for a meeting with two of St. Croix’s largest exporters of agricultural producers to explore
the possibilities of trade in onions.
New Supervisor Andy
Williams, Antigua designated
driver being helpful
The permanent Secretary also met with Kwame Garcia, University Virgin Islands Senior Director of
off –island participation. Among the topics discussed was the involvement of the university in
Mango Fest.
Photos attached are by Onika Campbell, Communications Co-ordinator