AGRICULTURE plays an important role in any developing country. Firstly, to ensure that affordable, safe and healthy food is available to its population and reduce the dependence on imported foods which, on most occasions, are of a lower quality. Further, with the advent of global advertising, more and more products from overseas are being demanded around the world by a certain level in society, through highly effective product advertising, resulting in demand for the product and the neglect to consume fresh and wholesome produce that are readily available right here in our very own country.

The initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture to “grow more food” is testimony to the vision of the Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, who has spearheaded this well-planned and timely campaign as scores of developing and even developed countries are suffering from the global food crisis.

Since the launch of the campaign, the records will show the increasing levels of production of agricultural produce and the high levels of export. Through the successful intervention of the Grow More Food campaign, which was launched by Robert Persaud, Guyana today can boast of being food secure when the populations of many other nations have to worry where their next meal will come from and, for some, if they can afford food.

Also worth commending is the transformation of the extension service to support farmers who have taken up the challenge to grow more food and benefit from numerous opportunities by expanding and improving agricultural activities.

Whilst I would like to commend Minister Persaud and his team for walking their talk with farmers, I would strongly recommend the continuation of its numerous outreaches to farming and riverine communities to listen to and get feedback from farmers.