The island’s ageing agriculture storage and supply centre at Prospect has been confirmed for a revamp starting at $500,000, with an eventual cost of $13.5 million for a full replacement facility.

Walter Roban, the home affairs minister, confirmed the allocation in the 2024-25 budget for the Agricultural Service Centre, which he said would bolster the island’s food security.

The existing facility supporting Bermuda’s farmers is in a warehouse on Schools Drive in Devonshire.

The centre provides subsidised chill room storage for local crops, ice for farmers and fishermen, packaging for crops, banana ripening, and the sale of pesticide chemicals and seeds.

However, the building, more than 100 years old, was said to have a failing asbestos and cement roof, and cold storage and refrigeration in continual need of repair.

Mr Roban said that there had been a “longstanding request to modernise the facility”.

He said that the project would deliver an energy-efficient and cost-effective new home for the services, including renewable energy, and “the latest practices in storing perishables”.

The $500,000 covers the first phase of the capital development with preparation of a new site, finalising the contract and a round of emergency repairs to the existing centre to ensure no break in service while construction of the new facility gets under way.

The ministry called the planning phase of the project “well advanced”, with planning and building permits approved.

Brunel Engineering Consultants Ltd has completed a project design, estimated to cost $13.52 million over 18 months of construction.

Mr Roban added that an integrated agriculture strategy for the island was under development, with consultation continuing.

He said: "Modernising our agricultural infrastructure is essential to strengthening Bermuda's food security, providing career opportunities and contributing to our economy.

“The Government looks forward to completing this critical development."