Stemming from the success of the “Grow More Food” Festival last year at the Guyana National Stadium, the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) yesterday launched a spin-off event, Agrifest, billed for October 30-31at the same venue.

GMC General Manager Mr. Nizam Hassan said the grand business event will feature clean local and Brazilian entertainment and is anticipated to attract some 30,000 people.

The event evolves from the “Guyana Nights” which have, over the years, promoted the purchase and consumption of local produce.

The two-day festival will see participation from farmers, agro-processors, exporters, input suppliers and other stakeholders in the sector.

It will also feature participation from countries in the region and South America, and is in keeping with the Government’s drive to widen overseas trade links and showcase Guyana as a destination for investment and sourcing of agriculture produce.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, speaking at the launch at his Vlissengen Road office, pointed out the occasion is part of activities to mark Agriculture Month which is observed in October.

Persaud intends to make the festival an annual local and probably a Caribbean event.

He said the objective is to showcase the achievements of the agriculture sector and give stakeholders an opportunity to display their products as well as to link them with buyers and exporters.

“It is generally intended to be a celebration of our achievements within the sector; but more so to look at areas where we can probably find new markets.

“We can also look at the new technologies that are available because we are hoping to have not only local suppliers, but overseas suppliers; and because of our constant efforts to modernise and improve our agriculture sector, we are also looking at ways we can interact and interface with other countries and sectors across and beyond the region,” he outlined.

Emphasis on the agri-business linkages between Guyana and Brazil, Persaud said, will be a sub-theme of the festival.

Persaud had recently visited that country to strengthen relations in this regard, and said now that the Takutu Bridge has been completed, Government is eying the Brazilian market.

The minister is hoping that many agri-business objectives will be met through the festival which will feature a rich cultural component for patrons and stakeholders, particularly farmers in recognition of their hard work and dedicated service to the nation.

He announced too that as part of the Agriculture Month activities, the Ministry has decided to launch a farmers’ competition and the winners’ will be awarded at the cultural and business extravaganza.

“We are looking at prizes that will go up to about $300,000M. These prizes will be related to the agriculture sector, so people will not win a motor car, but probably some agriculture machinery, or inputs,” Persaud stressed.

He urged all to participate and said for persons not involved in agriculture, the event will be a gateway to learn more about the sector.

The festival also aims at changing the negative perception that agriculture is laborious and is not for the educated by showcasing the vast and wide array of career and business opportunities available in the sector.

Tickets for the event cost $500 for adults, $300 for children and school children in uniform accompanied by their teachers will be admitted free at the official opening.

Representatives from GMC and the private sector were also present at yesterday’s launch which was hosted in collaboration with the private sector.