Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud encouraged the Buxton community to pursue livelihoods in agriculture as government has made significant investment in ensuring that farmlands are ready for cultivation.
Persaud made these comments last week when a delegation with the newly crowned Miss Buxton African Talented Teen pageant Latoya Wright paid a courtesy call at his office.
According to a Government Infor-mation Agency (GINA) press release the pageant was staged to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the village’s foundation. Persaud lauded the pageant as way for youth to make a positive contribution to their communities and society at large. The pageant was sponsored by the ministry.
“I hope that this young lady would take the message of agriculture to the young people too. We expect that she will use her status as the way of underlining the importance of agriculture; while at the same time expanding our rich heritage,” he said. He also said the community’s youth should be inspired by the contributions their ancestors made to develop their community. “Like Cuffy and the many others who fought for betterment; this is also one of our positive contributions to the country and I must encourage you to continue the ongoing struggle for a better Guyana,” Persaud said.
He also advised the youth to pursue livelihoods in agriculture and to ensure that farming areas remain viable as government has invested great sums to enhance drainage and irrigation (D&I) in the area to encourage farmers to return to the farmlands. He said drains and canals have been excavated, sluices repaired, kokers, intake structures, access dams upgraded and outfall channels desilted. Some areas were also re-cultivated.
Persaud said in some areas farmers have already started to cultivate their lands and he urged them to make full use of the available opportunities. “We can do the infrastructural works such as the land clearing exercise; but we need the young people and the farmers [to cultivate] the existing lands that we have cleared and developed.
Meanwhile, Coordinator of the pageant Robin Phillips who accompanied the queen thanked the minister for his support.
In congratulating the queen the minister gave her a bouquet, a hamper and monetary contribution. All the delegates were also given hampers.
