–in effort to promote ‘eat-what-we-produce’ drive

As part of its “Eat what we produce” drive, the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday launched a Guyana Recipe Book which features recipes using local ingredients, and also includes the nutritional benefits of some local foods.

The booklet at reference, which was published by the Agriculture Ministry and will be featured annually, was launched at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) during the second day of the Agriculture Research Conference.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who officially launched the first edition, said that the Ministry will be sending copies to remote communities.
He said that the aim of producing such a book is to ensure that Guyanese consume as much local produce as possible, thereby reducing their dependency on imported foods.
“We do recognise that we have to use the imported things; however, these recipes will make maximum use of local products,” Minister Ramsammy said, adding that the idea is not to ban imported products, but rather to generate employment, create business opportunities, and propel the economic development of the country.
For Guyana to develop economically, the country has to export, and Minister Ramsammy further explained that this initiative is not the same as the one which was initiated a few decades ago to ban imported food,  but is intended to demonstrate that Guyana produces high quality products, and to showcase ‘Brand Guyana’.
The recipe book will also be available on the Ministry’s website.

(GINA)