Michael Joseph, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Agriculture Forum for Youth (ABAFY), has been conferred with the CARICOM Youth Farmer of the Year Award 2025, in recognition of his pioneering and technology-driven contributions to modern agriculture in the Caribbean.

The award was presented during the opening ceremony of the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held in St Kitts and Nevis on Monday. Joseph’s journey, marked by resilience and ingenuity, captured the attention of regional leaders committed to transforming Caribbean food systems. He recounted walking four miles daily to cultivate his land and initiating his irrigation system using recycled plastic bottles, exemplifying determination in the face of limited resources.

Operating just over one and a half acres, Joseph employs no-till and sustainable farming practices that enable him to achieve yields more than double the traditional per-acre average. Central to his innovation is the integration of spray drone technology. His two agricultural drones have reduced labour, water usage, and chemical inputs by more than 50 per cent, while simultaneously improving crop coverage and productivity.

In his acceptance remarks, Joseph reflected on his beginnings: “I started with nothing. Today, I provide drone services to over 20 farmers across the island.” His enterprise now extends beyond personal production, supporting fellow farmers through shared technological services.

Joseph’s cultivation model incorporates water-retention crystals that halve water consumption while sustaining crops during dry periods. He also applies Korean-style natural farming techniques to regenerate soil health and enhance plant resilience. In addition, he formulates USDA-approved natural insecticides and fungicides from locally sourced materials, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic agrochemicals.

Beyond crop production, Joseph contributes to the broader agricultural community by operating tractor and excavator services to assist farmers with land preparation and clearing.

Through innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, Michael Joseph exemplifies the new generation of Caribbean agricultural leadership—one that merges technology with environmental stewardship to advance regional food security.