The Canada Fund Local Initiatives (CFLI) approved and made a generous donation to the GARD Center on 27 August 2021, in the amount of EC$62,946.00 to train 20 women between the ages of 17 – 50 years in Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) technologies.  This will train them to use their backyards and small spaces to grow food both in soil and hydroponically, to feed their families and to sell to markets, as agricultural entrepreneurs.

This grant funding will cover topics to include Composting; Integrated Pest Management; Water Conservation; Mulching, etc.  Each participant will build a mini hydroponic unit for their homes.  They will also be trained to process vegetables for freezing, that is standard, quality control, etc.  Sessions will also include life-skills, enterprise development and management.  Some vegetables will be harvested from the GARD Center Demonstration unit, as well as from the participants’ home plots.  A quantity of fresh produce will be used for blanching and freezing to develop an added value product.

The long term expected results of this Initiative will produce 20 women with backyard gardens and hydroponic units which will generate income for their families through the production of frozen vegetables.

Once again, the GARD Center wishes to sincerely thank the CFLI for this grant to empower the women of Antigua and Barbuda.