The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center has been a pioneer in the promotion of agricultural and agricultural related enterprises for youth and women in Antigua and Barbuda. Located in Mercer’s Creek and servicing communities all over the island, GARD Center is also a well established training facility for different programmes specially in: Business Management for Handicraft Artisans, local candy making, soap making, beekeeping, marketing and promotion, ICT training and others.
Thirty-five (35) farms in Antigua and five (5) in Barbuda have been targeted for this project. The link between agriculture and tourism is in the promotion and standardization of local produce to respond to the increasing demand in fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables for the various hotels and restaurants on the island. Numerous meetings have been held between the farmers and stakeholders of the tourism sector to enable trustworthy and long-lasting relationships as an incentive for the stakeholders to purchase from local producers. One of the main issues that have historically affected the relationship between farmers and establishments was the inconsistence of the quantity and quality of the produce. This situation has been considered and successfully targeted by training not only the farmers but also the Extension Officers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Farmer Standards. The Extension Officers have been trained to aid the farmers in becoming GAP.
A new project has started in July 2007. This collaborative effort will involve four (4) of the participating farmers attending the North America Direct Marketing Farmers Association Annual Conference 2008, and four (4) producers will have the opportunity to participate in an exchange visit to Jamaica to observe a programme being operated by the Jamaica Rural Agriculture Development Agency and Sandals Hotel. This year’s project will also feature a Local Menu Chef’s Competition and twelve (12) farms will be approved for Farm Tours with twenty (20) farm workers being trained as farm tour guides and interpreters.