Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud told villagers of Barakara Creek on Thursday that the ministry stands ready to assist them with increasing food production as part of its ‘Grow more’ initiative.

In a press release the ministry said residents welcomed the minister “as it is the first in twenty years from any government official.” Barakara Creek is located about 50 miles up the Canje Creek and agriculture is the main economic activity. During Thursday’s visit Persaud highlighted the potential for ethanol production; pointing out that the Canje Basin comprises 50,000 hectares of land and is one of the prospective areas for the cultivation of sustainable crops for the production of biofuels.

Persaud also assured villagers that the ministry has increased its efforts to provide technical assistance and other support to further develop agriculture within the Canje Creek. A quantity of seeds, planting materials and literature on agriculture was distributed.

The release said too that Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha and a team of technical and regional officers accompanied the minister.