Region Three farmers last week received equipment geared to control weeds and pests, under the Small Farmers’ Livelihood Programme funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

At the handing over ceremony hosted at the Faith Community Ministries Vocational Centre, Naamryck Backlands, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said farmers are vital for transforming the country.

He said farmers must utilize and expand the agriculture sector to meet the growing demands for agricultural produce in the region and the wider world.

He said the dedication and resilience of small farmers have enabled Guyana to maintain its food security in the face of rising food prices globally. Persaud said too over the years government has increased its investment in farmers and the agriculture sector.

However, the minister urged farmers to make full use of its agencies to assist them with new interventions in the sector. He urged them to think beyond supplying the local market and cultivate their produce to meet global market requirements and standards. Persaud said that investment is being made to provide a state-of-the-art agriculture packaging plant to facilitate export and farmers are encouraged to participate in the training programme.

According to GINA Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Charles Court, IDB representative Marco Nicola and CIDA’s Mark Mostovac also attended the ceremony.