–pledge to do all they can to boost cultivation

CASH-crop farmers in Jacklow in the Upper Pomeroon River, Charity, Dartmouth, Affiance and Golden Fleece are very grateful to the Government for giving them fertiliser to boost production and increase cultivation on their farms.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh accompanied by Region 2 Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo and extension field officers of the Department of Agriculture met farmers at several public meetings last week and apprised them of developments in the agriculture sector, including the use of shade-house farming and the drip fertiliser system so as to boost agricultural development.

SHADE-HOUSE FARMING
Minister Baksh, who met scores of farmers at the public meetings, encouraged them to venture into shade house farming and to use the drip fertiliser system. He said Guyana is a blessed and fertile country with good soil which is ideal for agriculture development.
He called on farmers to form themselves into groups so as to benefit from financial assistance offered by non-government organisations. He told farmers that opportunities are there and they must make use of them.
Speaking about opportunities that are available to farmers through the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minister said the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Technical Institute at Anna Regina are two areas where children of farmers can benefit in pursuing studies in agriculture, forestry or other technical fields.

FAMILY GARDENS
Minister Baksh, in his appeal to residents to develop agriculture, encouraged families to get involved in family gardens. He said Guyana is exporting many cash crops and families can make more income from their family gardens, especially from shade house farming.
Region 2 Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo told farmers that the grow more food campaign started by former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud is very important to the development of the agriculture sector in Guyana.
Farmers who collected fertiliser said they are very thankful to the Government and Minister Alli Baksh for making the fertiliser available to them. They pledged to use the fertiliser to boost the growth of their cash crop farms and expand cultivation.

Minister Baskh said the fertiliser was made available through the Ministry of Agriculture, and one bag was divided between two farmers.