Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud met with representatives from the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) on Thursday in an effort to promote agriculture in schools.

According to a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) this initiative is part of the ongoing activities for Agriculture Month. It is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Persaud said teachers would be provided with plant materials, seeds and literature would be given to them in order to encourage their pupils interest in agriculture. Teachers from three schools participated: Helon Travis Barker of Mocha Arcadia Primary School, Shane Hinds of Peter’s Hall Primary and Onika Allen of Eccles Primary School.

Hinds, who is also the vice-chairman of the GTU in the lower East Bank Demerara, told the minister that though there was little or no space in the school compounds to do agriculture the students were still very enthusiastic. He said the agriculture ministry’s involvement in promoting the subject in schools will allow it to become more practical than theoretical.

In response Persaud said where space was limited at some schools boxes and small containers could be used for the practical aspects of the subject.