Kendria Ferguson, a Bahamas Disaster Consultant at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), was able to visit Atlantic Beach Urban Farms during the Climate-Smart Agriculture International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) with the U.S. Department of State. This facility specializes in indoor cultivation using aeroponic technology, which is an innovative method of growing plants in a misty environment without relying on soil or harmful chemicals.
Kendria notes that the Bahamas faces significant challenges in reestablishing its former economic success in agriculture due to limited access to public funds, grant opportunities, and insurance coverage. As a result, more than 90% of the country’s food needs are met through imports, with the United States being the primary source. To address this issue, Kendria stresses the importance of minimizing reliance on imported food while acknowledging that complete elimination may not be feasible.
During her tour of Atlantic Beach Urban Farms, Kendria was impressed by the use of aeroponic technology and its potential to increase local food production and reduce dependence on imports. The climate-controlled greenhouse at this facility is equipped with over 200 vertical towers and can yield thousands of pounds of high-quality fresh greens all year round. She believes that implementing similar technologies like aeroponics can help reduce the influx of competitive imports and enhance the capacity to distribute and support large-scale productivity outputs within the Bahamian agricultural framework.
Kendria expresses her appreciation for the opportunity to visit Atlantic Beach Urban Farms and commends the team for their engagement in promoting sustainable agriculture practices. She emphasizes that exploring technologies like aeroponics is crucial in enhancing local food production and reducing reliance on imported goods to ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth in agriculture in
