Nassau, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has recently concluded Agri-Business Expo 2026, it’s premier three-day event held from April 10th–12th at the Gladstone Road Agriculture Center under the theme “Agriculture: Our Heritage, Our Future,” the event emphasized a national commitment to honouring the legacy of our forefathers by transforming traditional foundations into a modern era of innovation and growth.
The Expo drew thousands of farmers, entrepreneurs and families, signaling a clear shift in the Bahamian consciousness toward the importance of food security while celebrating Bahamian food and culture.
Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis officially opened the event, noting that the theme served as a tribute to Bahamian heritage, celebrating traditional knowledge passed down through generations while evolving toward a sustainable future.
“The Agri-Business Expo is a national gathering that celebrates where we have come from and points us toward where we must go,” added Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Jomo Campbell. This event is an important component of the Ministry’s strategy to reduce dependence on imports by strengthening local value chains and encouraging the next generation of Bahamian agricultural innovators.
The well received three-day exhibition and festivities featured a diverse range of activities:
• Educational & Financial Support: Participants engaged in hands-on workshops featuring yogurt manufacturing, tomato bottling and pepper pickling, alongside live demonstrations of innovative irrigation and climate-resilient farming techniques for crops like sweet potatoes. The Bahamas Development Bank was on-site to promote a $700,000 grant program designed to empower farmers, agri-processors, cooperatives and schools with agricultural initiatives.
• Culinary Competitions: This crowd-favorite showdown featured local mutton and turbot, as chefs transformed ingredients into dishes.
• Food Eating Competitions: The goat pepper, pineapple and watermelon eating competitions drew crowds, with many participants stepping up to win a variety of prizes.
• Kids Zone: The “Kids Zone” offered an exciting space for families, featuring bouncing castles and slides. The animal barn featuring livestock and other animals was once again, a crowd-pleaser while the petting zoo provided interactive activities for children.
• Live Entertainment consisted of a number of cultural artists as well as gospel recording artists and hit performances on the last night “Family Night” with the legendary Region Bells and Bishop Lawrence Rolle.
With well over 130 plus stalls, the grounds were filled with agriculture and fisheries products, informational booths, and local artisans. The Family Islands were out in full force, with farmers and artisans hailing from Eleuthera, Exuma, Cat Island, Grand Bahama and Abaco. Local schools also made a strong showing, selling everything from fresh meats and produce to handmade cosmetics and artisan products.
The Ministry’s call to action, resonated throughout the weekend, amplified by social media influencers who shared the event live with thousands of followers, saying: “Let’s get growing Bahamas” and that “Expo 2026 was the place to be”.
“It is hoped that the seeds planted during Agri-Business Expo 2026 yield a more resilient and food-secure Bahamas for years to come,” said Minister Campbell.
