Agriculture Minister visits hydroponics farm in New Winthorpes

Antigua and Barbuda: Over the weekend, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, The Hon. Samantha Marshall, visited a hydroponics farm in New Winthorpes to learn more about the innovative farming technique.

According to the Agriculture Minister, “Yesterday, I was elated to visit a hydroponics farm to learn more about the benefits of introducing more smart farming into our communities. Smart farming enables sustainable agricultural productivity and income, greater resilience to climate change, and the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and waste.”

Furthermore, he added, “I encourage more agricultural entrepreneurs to consider smart farming as a viable venture; the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will continue to provide the necessary support to develop innovative approaches in agricultural production.”

What is a hydroponics farm?

Hydroponics is a kind of horticulture and a sub-set of hydroculture that includes growing plants without any kind of soil by utilising or practising mineral nutrient enzymes in an aqueous solution. 

Plants originated in well-managed hydroponic management are living the good-life. Since the roots are bathed in all the nutrients they required, plants spend more time growing upwards and less time and energy-growing extensive root systems to search for the food. 

Growth rates vary based on the kind of system and quality of care; however, hydro-plants can mature up to 25 percent more swiftly than the same plants grown in soil, with risen crop yield, to boot.

Using hydroponics, an Agriculturist can produce hyper-local food arrangements – and container farms are set up-right in the associations and regions that communities serve. It’s even possible to put the farm directly behind restaurants that want ultra-fresh produce! And when developing hydroponically, farmers have to hit suspension for a season or risk crop loss from severe weather.

Besides this, The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Barbuda Affairs (MAFBA) has accountability for policy, legislation, general over-sight to and central governance of the services within and related to the Agriculture sector and its allied companies and organisations as well as Barbuda Affairs.

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