AGRICULTURE Minister Mr. Robert Persaud has challenged Region Three farmers to adapt to the changes required to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the global food situation.

He re-emphasized this during a visit to Morashee, Blake and the Parika Backdam, all on the East Bank Essequibo where he encouraged farmers to get on board the ‘Grow more’ campaign yesterday.

He advised them of the Ministry’s work to explore different avenues to assist farmers in dealing with the challenges posed by the steady increase in fuel prices which creates increases in fertilizers and chemicals.

The Ministry, he said, has invested significant sums to modernize the sector. This include building of state-of-the-art packaging facilities, printing and distribution of farmers’ manual, clearing of major drainage and irrigation canals, training of more technical personnel and the close monitoring of farms which are all designed to equip them with essential knowledge to become successful farmers and entrepreneurs.

Farmers were assured that the Ministry will continue to do its part, but they too have a significant role to play and to be proactive in their operations.

The market-driven ‘Grow More’ campaign launched in March is one of the measures taken by Government to cushion the impact of high food prices.

Since its launching, the Minister and officials from his Ministry have been visiting communities to educate farmers on methods to improve farm management and post harvest handling of produce.

Minister Persaud noted that the campaign has, in addition to getting farmers to produce more, served to educate farmers on best practices.

Outlining the interventions government has made to cushion the impact of the increased prices, Minister Persaud, advised that Government was also trying to purchase fertilizer directly from producers.

He urged farmers to form groups which will yield more benefits for them. “We want our farmers to be price givers and not price takers.” This, he asserted, can only be possible if farmers adapt to changes required.

The farmers were encouraged to register with the new Guyana Marketing Corporation so that they could be linked with potential buyers.

The representatives from the Minister also distributed seeds, and other agricultural materials to farmers present at the meeting.