Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud yesterday said his ministry will not slow down investment in the sector because of perceived criticism from a few persons.

He told reporters at a press briefing convened at his Ministry that perhaps there are persons who would want to see farmers and the agriculture sector neglected, but this will not happen.

“We will not be distracted, we will not in any way slow down our investment to farmers. I wish to tell the farmers to make note of those who are trying to obstruct and interfere with the investments we are making,” Persaud urged.

He said his ministry remains focused on the execution of both its yearly and strategic programmes, and farmers’ interest will always be a top priority.

Persaud, at a recent forum at the Rosignol Secondary School, told sugar workers not to be distracted by misleading information being peddled by elements of a certain section of society.

He pointed out that the government was strongly criticised by the opposition for its investment in the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP), a project which will ensure the survival of the industry and thereby guarantee them a source of income.

And even today, the minister said, a few persons are still bent on spreading erroneous information on that project to the public.

These elements, Persaud stressed, have no interest in the workers’ welfare and their intention is to influence the Government to make the wrong move.

But the Government will not in the least be swayed by their devious statements intended to see the industry fail.

The Minister said the Government will remain on the workers’ side and its investments in the SSMP and Enmore Packaging Facility are testimonies to its commitment.

Persaud vowed to expose the mischievous individuals padding the false information.