July 31, 2025 | Antigua.news |
Antigua and Barbuda has launched a major initiative to restore and expand production of its iconic Black Pineapple, aiming to cultivate over 200,000 plants by 2026. Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith expressed pride in the project’s progress, noting that 15,000 slips propagated through tissue culture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have already been planted at Cades Bay, with another 15,000 expected soon. Additional slips sourced from local farmers are also being planted.
The initiative focuses on preserving premium strains, protecting the fruit’s genetic legacy, and strengthening its role as a symbol of Antigua’s agricultural heritage. The government is partnering with regional and international organizations, including IICA, CARDI, and FAO, whose support has been vital to the program’s success.
To engage the public, Minister Smith invited citizens to Piango Fest on October 17 at Cades Bay, where visitors can tour pineapple fields and witness progress firsthand. The program also plans to distribute pineapple heads to farmers to encourage wider cultivation, while youth involvement in agriculture is strongly encouraged.
Renowned for its unique sweetness, the Antigua Black Pineapple is both a profitable crop and a national treasure, central to local pride and agricultural revival.
