AGRICULTURE, LANDS, FISHERIES & BARBUDA AFFAIRS

PiAngo Fest 2025 has been hailed as a major success, drawing overwhelming public support and transforming the Cades Bay Agricultural Station into a vibrant festival park alive with stalls, culinary delights, music, and cultural showcases.

From the morning’s uplifting gospel kickoff to the fiery evening finale featuring the legendary Burning Flames, the festival delivered a full day of family fun, agricultural exhibitions, and high-energy entertainment that captured the spirit of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Honourable Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy, emphasized the importance of reviving PiAngo Fest as part of his bold agenda to revitalize the agricultural sector. His leadership was praised as “taking the bull by the horns,” with the return of the festival marking another milestone in his growing list of achievements.

Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne, alongside Cabinet members including the Honourable Melford Nicholas and Honourable Rawdon Turner, also attended, signaling the government’s strong commitment to advancing agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda.

In a post-event interview, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Walter Christopher, confirmed that, based on the enthusiastic response from stakeholders, plans are already underway to expand PiAngo Fest into a full-scale Agricultural Festival next year. He noted such an event would allow broader participation across the sector and showcase an even greater variety of local produce, agro-processing products, and spinoff industries.

The festival provided agricultural stations and their staff with the unique opportunity to directly interact with patrons and highlight their work. Organizers hinted at exciting innovations for 2026, including the debut of a mango- and pineapple-flavored beer.

Among the highlights of PiAngo Fest 2025 were the spirited eating competitions:

• John Waeling — Pineapple & Mango Eating Competition ($200 EC)
• Jahkeem Lewis — Hot Wings Eating Challenge ($500 EC)
• Tyreke Horsford — Watermelon Eating Competition ($300 EC)

The IICA-sponsored Agro-Processing Competition was another festival centerpiece, featuring eight categories: Frozen Products, Pastries, Juices/Nectars, Wines, Sauces, Honey, Jams/Jellies, and Confectioneries. Winners will be announced soon.

With strong community support, government leadership, and enthusiastic participation from vendors, performers, and agro-processors, PiAngo Fest 2025 has solidified itself as more than just a celebration of pineapple and mango—it is a proud showcase of agriculture, creativity, and national identity.