Antigua and Barbuda’s drive to strengthen food security and build greater resilience against drought has received a major boost following the approval of approximately US$9 million in grant funding to expand water storage infrastructure across the country.
The funding, secured through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Soil and Water Management Programme, will support the construction of dams, water catchment ponds and other critical infrastructure designed to improve the availability of water for agricultural production.
Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. informed Cabinet that the grant represents one of the most significant investments in agricultural water management in recent years and forms a central pillar of the Government’s broader strategy to expand domestic food production while reducing dependence on imported food.
Officials said the programme is expected to significantly improve irrigation capacity, providing farmers with more reliable access to water during periods of prolonged drought and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns brought about by climate change.
For decades, water scarcity has remained one of the greatest constraints facing agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda. Unlike many larger Caribbean territories that benefit from rivers and abundant freshwater resources, Antigua is classified as a water-scarce country, relying heavily on rainfall, groundwater extraction and desalination to meet national demand.
While desalinated water has become an essential source of potable water for households and businesses, its relatively high production costs have made it less practical for widespread agricultural use. As a result, farmers have frequently struggled to maintain production during extended dry spells, often resulting in lower crop yields and increased reliance on imported produce.
Cabinet was advised that improving water security has therefore become an essential component of the country’s long-term food security strategy.
In support of that objective, the Ministry of Agriculture last year acquired a dedicated excavator to accelerate the construction of dams and water catchment systems throughout the island. The equipment has already expanded the Ministry’s ability to undertake major earthworks and develop strategically located water storage facilities capable of serving farming communities across Antigua.
Cabinet recalled that water conservation was identified several months ago as a national priority, with ministers directing that the development of dams and catchment systems become a cornerstone of the Government’s agricultural development agenda. Officials have consistently argued that increasing water storage capacity will allow farmers to produce crops throughout the year, reduce vulnerability to drought and strengthen the country’s ability to withstand disruptions in global food supply chains.
The latest grant will help turn those plans into reality.
According to the Agriculture Minister, sites have already been identified for the construction of eight new dams and two large-scale “super dams”, which together will form the backbone of a national agricultural water storage network. The facilities are intended to capture and retain rainwater during the wet season, ensuring that adequate supplies remain available for irrigation during drier months.
Beyond improving water availability, the expanded network is expected to reduce pressure on potable water supplies, improve drought preparedness and support more consistent agricultural production throughout the year. Officials also anticipate that the initiative will encourage greater investment in farming by providing producers with increased confidence that reliable irrigation will be available even during periods of below-average rainfall.
The project aligns with broader regional efforts to improve climate resilience within the agricultural sector. Across the Caribbean, governments have increasingly invested in rainwater harvesting, irrigation systems and climate-smart farming techniques as rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns continue to threaten food production.
The Caribbean Development Bank and the FAO have both identified water management as one of the region’s most pressing agricultural priorities, particularly for small island developing states that remain highly vulnerable to climate change and external food supply shocks.
Cabinet welcomed the successful acquisition of the grant and commended the Ministry of Agriculture for securing international support for what it described as a transformative national initiative. Ministers expressed confidence that the investment will not only improve water security but also strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term capacity to achieve greater food self-sufficiency, enhance rural livelihoods and build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of meeting the challenges of a changing climate.
