The Piango Festival roared back to life on Sunday after a two-year pause, drawing thousands to the Cades Bay Agricultural Station for a celebration of food, culture and technology.
Patrons flocked to stalls offering wines, jams, sauces and sweets made from the island’s harvest, while live music and the aroma of mangoes and pineapples filled the air.
Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. hailed the festival’s return as “a proud moment for agriculture,” joined by Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Cabinet colleagues in a show of support for farming.
A highlight of the day was the spotlight on the Antigua Black Pineapple, with 15,000 slips already propagated and plans to distribute 200,000 to farmers. Smith said the initiative was key to making agriculture sustainable and profitable.
The festival also looked to the future, with a drone demonstration showing how technology could aid farmers in applying fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently.
Smith added that next year’s festival would expand beyond pineapples and mangoes to showcase an even wider range of local produce.
