Together with Hon. Lennox Andrews, Minister for Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources, and Cooperatives, Hon. Dickon Mitchell recently had the opportunity to visit the Woodman Rum Distillery, co-founded by Dr. Francis R. Antoine.

It was an insightful experience, not just learning about the factory’s operations, but also witnessing Dr. Antoine’s deep passion for his craft, agro-processing, and agriculture as a whole. He highlighted the need for greater focus on education, research, and development within the sector, while emphasising the vast career paths agriculture offers, especially for our youth.

Dr. Antoine reminded us of the value of viewing farming as a business and the untapped potential of our local herbs and spices—calling for more research to explore their full benefits and uses.

This visit aligns with our government’s continued strides towards revitalising agriculture, strengthening food security, and encouraging more young people to get involved in shaping the future of this critical sector.