Island Overview
Aruba, the driest of the six Dutch Caribbean islands, faces considerable challenges due to its limited fertile soil and scarce freshwater resources. In response, the island has focused on innovative techniques to cope with these circumstances, focusing on research into hydroponics, agroforestry, and the development of new crop crossing techniques to enhance agricultural productivity. However, agriculture is not the only avenue toward greater food security. Livestock farming and fisheries also play crucial roles, with sustainability increasingly recognized as a vital principle to ensure long-term viability.
Despite its challenges, Aruba is considered fortunate for being located outside the hurricane belt. This geographical advantage means the island has historically experienced fewer devastating natural disasters compared to some neighboring Caribbean islands. Nonetheless, nature remains unpredictable. Aruba has learned valuable lessons about the importance of better preparation for unexpected crises or extreme weather events.
Although agriculture, livestock, and fisheries are traditionally less prominent than Aruba’s major industries — notably oil refining and tourism — the primary sector remains fundamentally important for the island’s socio-economic structure. Most practitioners in the sector depend on supplementary income from other activities and maintain their agricultural traditions primarily as part of their cultural identity and family heritage. The island’s primary sector is largely characterized by small scale production, although a few modern entrepreneurs have embraced hydroponic systems and innovative methods to advance local food production, marking a promising shift toward more sustainable practices.
Key Stats & Insights
Agriculture, husbandry, and fisheries together account for less than 2% of Aruba’s economic productivity.
There are currently 220 non-commercial (hobbyists) and 27 commercial farmers at the DLVV, who carry out both traditional and hydrological projects.
For livestock production, in total there are 170 non-commercial cattle breeders and 4
commercial pig and goat farmers and 4 commercial “Chicken farms” registered.There are 4 commercial beekeeper companies that are also known to DLVV, for the production of honey.
There are 2 fishermen who fish commercially and who are also registered with the Chamber of Commerce, and 201 spear fishermen under the tolerance policy. It is estimated that the number of active fishermen is around 1600.
Fishing is congregated in centers where conditions used to allow for protection of boats and easy access. These have been reduced over time to 7 loosely organized centers with piers, 1 formally organized fisheries center and 4 privately run marinas that also offer fishermen mooring piers.
Fishing is artisanal with local policy also not permitting commercial fishing at the time. It is estimated that fishing produces less than 3 % of total fish consumption island wide. The tourism sector has provided a growing market for charter/tour fishing for local entrepreneurs.
Fishing has been an integral part of Aruban culture and diet. Pelagic species such as Wahoo, Barracuda, Dorado (Dolphinfish) and Tuna are staples year-round. Demersal species such as Snappers, Groupers, Triggerfish and Grunts are also fished throughout the year, with Snappers and Groupers being more readily available during times of calm wind.
3 key commodities
Lettuce and micro greens
Hydroponic production has demonstrated to be a possible solution, to overcome Aruba’s severe arid condition, by being able to contribute with about 500.000 heads of Lettuce and other Microgreens products to name a few. This system has also enabled Aruba to save good quality land for traditional open field farming systems such as peanut, okra, beans etc.
Pig and goat farming
Goat Farming and Pig Farming are two industries that are stable and developing on a constant pace. There is high the demand for goat meat, because it’s traditionally popular. Pig meat is also in high demand, due to the fact that Aruba’s community consists of different nationalities that prefer the consumption of pork meat.
Dragon fruit / Pitaya fruit
One fruit type whose production is increasing and has demonstrated its potential both in the success of production as well as demand, is dragon fruit, locally known as Pitaya. This niche started by one farmer but has caught the attention of other farmers and Aruba has now a hybrid variety to its name called “The Aruban Star”, demonstrating its potential to become an export within the region.
Projects
Agriculture and livestock
- Santa Rosa’s Farmers Markets and Pop-up Markets to stimulate more local production and entrepreneurship amongst the hobby farmer and fisherman and to also establish a network between producers and clients.
- Agro Forestry School Projects at a total of 12 elementary and secondary schools and 4 located at sport and social clubs. This project is an ongoing project with the main purpose of stimulating food production among the younger generation by giving them the tools and knowledge how to produce independently in a responsible matter, while also creating the opportunity for entrepreneurship.
- Micro Hydroponic Project together with Hydro Technologies Aruba, which includes workshops and technical support, showcasing an minimalistic structure for new hydroponic producers that want to try out on a small scale in their garden.
- Goat and Sheep enhancement program and entrepreneurship workshops for livestock owners that want to upgrade their animal group.
- Hay plantation pilot project as an alternative for a more sustainable feeding system for
farmers. - Pastos de corte – At this moment 4 varieties of high yielding and fast-growing tall grasses are being tested (Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Caesalpinia coriaria, Cenchrus ciliaris). All are perennial hybrids of Elephant grass combined with other grasses (Pennisetum’s). Protein forage banks have been established. So far, buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) shows the most potential, as it is very drought resistant and produces fast after some rain.
- Various practical research projects: Alternative treatments against internal parasites are tested with local growing plants and trees like Neem (Azadirachta indica) or Watapana/Divi Divi (Caesalpinia coriaria). Practical silage production methods for small farms are being investigated. More fodder conservation methods are being developed.
Fisheries
- Fish Aggregating Devices (FADS) – 2 Fads were recently installed in strategic locations to create a larger habitat area for fish, offering more fish availability for local fisherman.
- Fisheries Facilities Improvement: Maintain and improve piers, storage areas and work areas and facilities for fishermen at the various centers. These are aimed to make access to water and necessities for the deployment of fish capture and sales more efficient.
- Safety at Sea Project: To increase the awareness of safety at sea and minimize accidents and loss of life at sea through workshops and communication campaigns. The fisheries department works with other entities to continuously publish informative posts about different relevant subjects and facilitate the acquisition of safety materials.
- Standardization of common fish names in Papiamento: The names of fish have not been standardized. As part of the overall awareness program the department aims to create a reference that serves to overcome issues that arise from having various names referring to fish.
- Research and monitoring of Invasive Lionfish as a potential sustainable fisheries: The Fisheries section does research and monitoring of Invasive species such as lionfish. Working with local and international organizations the section gathers information of the population of lionfish and the lionfish hunters as this group of specialized fishermen call themselves.
Downloadable Resources
Being prepared for exogenous shocks: Exploring strategies to transform the foodsystem of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten
Continuous cooperation initiatives
Dutch Caribbean LVV organizations
DLVV Aruba received 3 breeding bucks from LVV Curacao in 2023. And in 2024 DLVV Aruba shipped 3 breeding animals to LVV Bonaire.
Xavier University, School of Veterinary Medicine
DLVV Aruba received 3 breeding bucks from LVV Curacao in 2023. And in 2024 DLVV Aruba shipped 3 breeding animals to LVV Bonaire.
Universities of Aruba and Utrecht
To conduct research on important topics for the sector.
Policies and Procedures
Fisheries Regulation and Regulation on trawling (Pos. 448)
Are the two main regulations on fisheries
Download Fisheries Regulation & Trawling Rules (Aruba)
Agricultural Ordinance (in development)
Aims to regulate and stimulate the agricultural sector according to the standards applicable to the Aruban situation by means of renewed (fiscal) laws and regulations.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification (in development)
The Global GAP certification is a standard that applies to the primary production of agricultural products intended for human consumption. Due to increasing consumer concerns about health in combination with the environment and climate change, Global GAP was created. Global GAP is a certification system that participants from the primary sector must adhere to. The Global GAP system sets requirements for the quality system for primary products. The objective is to maintain consumer confidence with regards to food safety and quality. Obtaining Global GAP certification will mean that the product has complied with the regulations regarding the cultivation of primary products. It will demonstrate that the product has been created in a responsible manner. In the same way, the possibility of exporting local products is created.
Livestock ordinance (in development)
The introduction of a livestock ordinance. It aims to regulate and stimulate the livestock sector according to the standards applicable to the Aruban situation by means of renewed (fiscal) laws and regulations.
Local Contact Info
