The Long Ping High Tech Corporation, representing the Chinese government, donated approximately 250 pounds of fresh vegetables to six local institutions during a ceremony held at the Agricultural Extension Division last week.

The donation, which consisted of 80 pounds of lettuce, 120 pounds of Chinese lettuce, 50 pounds of cucumbers, and 50 pounds of seasoning pepper.

The produce was distributed equally among six institutions: Beverly Comfort Home, Moravian Elderly Home, Habitat Feeding Programme, Clarevue Hospital, Fiennes Institute, and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force.

The Ministry of Agriculture officials who were present at the handover, included Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher, Senior Research Officer Maudvere Bradford, Acting Chief Extension Officer Ika Fergus, and Acting Extension Officer Anika Aska.

The vegetables were grown through experimental farming methods, cultivated outdoors using natural techniques that minimise synthetic inputs while maintaining high yields and quality.

This approach demonstrated the viability of eco-friendly farming practices in Antigua’s climate.

The Ministry of Agriculture is developing a database of institutions to facilitate future distributions, focusing on community care facilities and organisations like the ABDF to ensure efficient delivery of similar donations.