The island’s farmers have been asked to make alternative storage arrangements because a chill room at the Agricultural Service Centre was reported to be out of commission.

In a notice from operational staff of the Devonshire facility, farmers were told that the large storage room was in need of a “complete refit”.

“Unfortunately, this repair work won’t happen any time soon,” the message said.

In the notice, which was seen by The Royal Gazette, the farmers were advised by the ASC staff to check with wholesalers or retailers who may have available storage space.

They were further advised that the facility will not have space for produce, such as potatoes, which may require storage over the next two to three months.

In response to queries from the Gazette, the Ministry of Public Works and the Environment reported that four chill rooms as well as a ripening room at the ageing facility were operational.

However, it said that one chill room was offline and a contract has been arranged with a local vendor to replace the room’s condenser and blower.

A ripening room is awaiting maintenance while another continues to meet demand, the ministry said.

It said the units were being configured to allow future transfer to a new modernised 15,000 sq ft centre, which is awaiting full planning and funding. The new facility will be built immediately south of the present site.

The ministry said: “The existing Agriculture Services Centre is an ageing facility housed in a century-old warehouse.

“While it continues to provide critical support to the farming community, its structural condition and outdated systems highlight the need for a purpose-built replacement that meets modern standards for food storage and agricultural services.”

Construction of the new facility, which was announced last year, is expected to take 18 months to complete once the geophysical investigation and new Belco vault are completed and the foundations have commenced.

The ministry added: “Every effort is being made to maintain the functionality of the current facility and the ministry will continue to work with stakeholders to support farmers through the transition.

“This replacement facility is a strategic investment in Bermuda's future and future food resilience and agricultural sustainability.“

Last year, the Government announced that it planned to invest $14.5 million in the new ASC with the hope of enhancing and even expanding local food production.

Walter Roban, who was then the Minister of Home Affairs, said the space would provide “essential services” including cold storage, banana ripening, ice production and supplying materials such as chemicals, seeds and packaging.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and the Environment, told the House of Assembly last week during a 2025-26 Budget breakdown that the ASC was one of the key ways in which the Government could provide direct assistance to the island’s farmers.

He said in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the facility handled $212,000 worth of produce, goods and services in support of the agriculture industry.

That was a “slight increase” on the 2023-24 period, when the figure was $210,000.

The minister said that the general trend, with a small increase, was expected to continue throughout the year ahead.

Mr Adams thanked the island’s farmers for their continued efforts to sustain the sector and said that with their hard work and contributions to the improvement of the industry, produce continued to be of high quality.

He said the farmers’ produce was “in high demand by the general public, restaurants and grocery stores”.

Mr Adams added: “We look forward to seeing continued increases in the local agricultural industry and the Government will play its part in assisting and supporting our farmers to produce more good quality food for our island.”

He said increased local produce would mean increased food security.

The minister added: “The availability of high-quality, locally sourced fresh produce lends itself to healthier diets and improved wellbeing.”

He said the Government would continue to work with the Board of Agriculture and the Bermuda Farmers Association to identify efficiencies and potential production cost reductions and pollution control, among other mitigating measures.