– Minister Persaud
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said, Monday, that Guyanese youths can contribute significantly to the success of the sector, expressly in light of the increasing need for Guyana to position itself as a food supplier. He said so at a career fair held at Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), as part of Agriculture Month activities under  the theme ‘Fighting Global Hunger through Agriculture Diversification in Guyana’.
Mr. Persaud said Guyana is in a good position, as it relates to food security, in view of concerns, by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), about the volatility in the markets.
The FAO has said that while there does not, currently, appear to be a crisis, it is concerned that the volatility might bode ill for progress toward overcoming challenges like those outlined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Persaud said, although there are no wishes for another food crisis, Guyana will be focusing on the opportunities if such an event occurs.
He boasted that Guyana is food secure and doing well on the export market, with exports up by between 30 and 40 per cent.
Persaud said the ‘Grow More Food’ campaign has contributed, significantly, to the achievement and Guyana has come a far way in reducing hunger and poverty countrywide.  
That campaign aimed to ensure Guyana’s food security, during the 2007-2008 period when rising fuel prices were causing prices to rise and foodstuff was becoming less accessible to many persons globally and maintain the Guyanese presence in existing markets while captitalising on new market opportunities.
Persaud pointed out that, in the 2007-2008 food crisis, Guyana proved its ability to not only feed its people but supply other countries.
He alluded to the climate change phenomenon and said Guyana is taking steps to adapt to its effects, in particular with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).