Seven acres of government-owned arable land in the East End have been divided between ten Bermudian farmers to put to use.

The multiyear leases, all of which are set in St George’s, will include 4.03 acres at the former Almeida Farm, 1.6 acres on Barry Road and about 0.7 acres in St David’s as well as several plots on Old Military Road.

Jaché Adams, the Minster of Public Works and Environment, met with three farmers cultivating the Old Military Road plots, to see how they would be best put to “productive use”.

He said: “Land that was once underutilised is now being placed in the hands of Bermudian farmers who are committed to producing food for our community. That is exactly the outcome we want to see.”

Mr Adams pointed out that the island imported the majority of its food and said that expanding local farming was key to “building resilience”.

He added: “These leases represent a practical step towards a more sustainable Bermuda.

“When we support local farmers and make better use of available land, we reduce reliance on imports and create opportunities for greater self-sufficiency.”