The government will relaunch the national backyard garden competition in 2026 with a new name and updated theme, Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith told Parliament during the Budget Debate.

Smith said the programme, which previously encouraged households to grow more of their own food, will return next year after receiving full funding.

He told legislators the initiative has already been approved and will be relaunched “with a new theme, a new name,” signalling a refreshed approach aimed at drawing wider public participation.

The minister said the competition forms part of the ministry’s push to strengthen food security and increase local production by supporting households that want to grow vegetables, herbs and small crops at home. Throughout his presentation, Smith emphasised that food security is not only about large farms but also about helping ordinary families produce a portion of what they eat.

He also linked the competition to the government’s broader strategy of creating practical, accessible entry points into agriculture for both young people and adults.

Smith stressed that the ministry is working to make agriculture more visible, more attractive and easier to participate in at all levels — from commercial farms to backyard spaces.

He said the updated programme is one of several community-based initiatives planned for 2026, alongside nationwide support for farmers, youth-agriculture programmes and new infrastructure investments.

Smith described these measures as part of a larger effort to build interest in agriculture and ensure that more people are connected to food production in meaningful ways.

The relaunch, he said, is intended to help households contribute to national food-system resilience while fostering a stronger culture of home gardening across Antigua and Barbuda.