The Government is to invest $14.5 million into its planned Agriculture Services Centre with the hope of enhancing, and even expanding, local food production.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, called a press conference at the old, “dilapidated” facility on Schools Drive, Devonshire, to announce plans to invest in the renovation of a new facility adjacent to the existing one.

He said the new 15,000-square-foot space will provide “essential services” including cold storage, banana ripening, ice production and supplying materials such as chemicals, seeds and packaging.

The Bermuda Farmers Association has said the facility is well overdue and will enhance local farming but questioned whether there will be interest from young people to enter the industry.

Mr Roban said: “As many of you know, Bermuda has relied heavily on imported food for decades, leaving us vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains — whether due to extreme weather events, security concerns at key ports, or other unforeseen events.

“These risks highlight the critical need to bolster local food production and storage capacity.

“Recognising this challenge, the Agricultural Crop Strategy 2016 laid the foundation for a more resilient, self-sufficient agricultural sector.

“One of its key recommendations was establishing a centralised facility to support food production and ensure adequate storage for locally grown crops.

“During consultations, it became evident that while large, full-time farms had the resources to maintain storage, smaller, part-time farmers faced significant disadvantages.

“This significant gap became a major bottleneck, limiting farmers’ ability to expand production beyond what they could immediately sell or store, thus constraining local food production.”

He said since the implementation of the strategy, Bermuda has made “significant strides” with virtually all registered local growers benefiting from the service.

As well as the storage services offered, the facility has also been instrumental in managing agricultural embargoes which has ensured the continued operation of the agricultural sector, even during challenging times.

Mr Roban said the list of embargoed produce could expand given the increased capacity to produce and store locally.

He said the planning process for the new facility is well under way. Brunel Engineering Consultants has provided detailed designs, with initial project management led by the Department of Public Lands and Building under the Ministry of Public Works.

“The necessary permits have been secured and a Class A cost estimate of $14.55 million for the work, reflecting recent inflationary impacts, has been established,” Mr Roban said.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs has submitted a funding request as part of the 2025-2026 fiscal budget. Once approved, the development expected to take two years.”

Mr Roban said there is also opportunity to attract new farmers and expand the local industry.

Carlos Amaral, the president of the Bermuda Farmers Association, welcomed the investment saying “it will bode well for food security”.

He added: “There will be a significant, marked increase in storage capabilities. The facility allows us to have a central location which means having material brought in, in a more cost-effective manner.

“It makes the job of farming somewhat less tedious.

“The magic question is, will there be new talent and blood coming into the industry? It’s not a career choice for most young Bermudians. It’s about trying to captivate young individuals.

“The facility will enhance the industry, but not necessary expand it.”

Mr Roban said “according to estimates” Bermuda is presently only farming about 50 per cent of the available land — just over 700 acres.

He said: “We believe that with the confidence of a new facility, our farmers will be able to accommodate that in their businesses and also new farmers.

“What we want to do is expand agriculture activity.

“If there are greater resources available, farmers can confidently expand their operations and also, more people can make more investment and grow the farming contribution to the economy.”

He said the use of the old facility is no longer viable.

“The facility poses a serious risk to Bermuda's agricultural sustainability with a deteriorating asbestos cement roof, insufficient water storage and failing cold storage rooms.

“While temporary repairs have kept it running, a long-term solution is essential,” he said.

Mr Roban said the infrastructure project is a “cornerstone” of the Integrated Agricultural Strategy and a key initiative within the Economic Recovery Plan, adding that local food production would be restrained without it, limiting job creation and leaving the island vulnerable to food-supply industry shocks.

He added: “Moreover, the risk of hurricane-related damage to the existing facility emphasises the urgent need for this investment.

“A severe storm could not only destroy stored produce but also bring agricultural operations to a standstill for an extended period, something none of us can afford.

“We are confident this project will be considered a critically-needed investment in Bermuda’s future, one that strengthens our food security, supports our farmers and reinforces our commitment to sustainability.”