1. Sea Island Cotton Production in Antigua and BarbudaBy
Jedidiah Maxime
and
Lesroy Grant
25th January, 2011

2. OUTLINE
Production (History,Status of crop,Projections for crop,Challenges) By Maxime
Ginnery(Gins,Building,Bales, Challenges) By Grant
Conclusion

3. HISTORY Cotton production commenced around 1903
Commercial production began 1907(2000 acres)
1920 production decreased
production increased

4. HISTORY- Cont’d 1950-1960 further production increase (5,958 acres)
Late 1960’s significant decline
present production fluctuates annually with cotton produced by ADC, Cotton Station and small farmers.

5. STATUS OF 2010/2011 CROP
9 acres currently under cultivation at Central Cotton Station .Harvesting to commence by Feb ,000 lbs lint expected
40 acres currently under cultivation at ADC. 14,000 lbs lint expected.

6. PROJECTIONS FOR 2011/2012 CROP ADC 100 acres
Central Cotton Station 20 acres
Small farmers acres
Total expected Yield
Seed cotton ,000lbs
Lint ,000 lbs

7. CHALLENGES
Weather conditions ( wet) affected land preparation and other mechanical activities
Harvesting of crop - Lack of skilled pickers
Land availability for cotton production – Competition with land for housing

8. GINNERY
State of Gins
3 Gins currently working efficiently and are capable to gin quantities projected

9. GINNERY (Cont’d)
Building-In a state of disrepair

10. GINNERY-Cont’d
Bales of Lint for marketing( 28 Bales)

11. CHALLENGES State of the Building Cost price for Lint
Frequency of purchase of Lint from Antigua and Barbuda.

12. CONCLUSION
Government is committed to cotton production in Antigua and Barbuda
Budgetary allocations are made for the seed multiplication, production and distribution programme and ginning of cotton seeds

13. CONCLUSION –Cont’d
Support to cotton farmers are provided by the Extension Division and Cotton Station
Options of Crop Improvement would be explored for the revitalization and viability of the cotton industry.