Agriculture ministry launches cook-off to push local produce

Minister of Agriculture Leslie Ramsammy sampling the prepared local produce from the Administration Department of his ministry yesterday at the inaugural cook-off. (Photo by Arian Browne)

By Dacia Whaul

 The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday hosted its inaugural cook-off competition to launch its calendar of activities for Agriculture Month in October.

The compound of the Ministry of Agriculture was transformed into an arena of aromas for more than ten competitor agencies and departments, who displayed meals and beverages prepared with mostly local ingredients. Meals ranged from metemgee to cassava flour cakes and beverages ranged from lemon grass and passion fruit concoctions to a callaloo drink.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy announced that the annual event would be used to promote local foods and recipes. “We want to ensure that we support our farmers, [and] agro-processors and, therefore, support a development programme that creates employment and entrepreneurial opportunity,” he stated. He reiterated the Ministry’s call for the consumption of