As Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing World Food Day yesterday, Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday sent a strong message that Guyanese should eat what the country produces to maintain a balanced diet.
The minister was at time addressing a gathering at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara yesterday where the “Eat What We Produce” campaign was launched to coincide with World Food Day.
World Food Day is observed on October 16th of every year. This year it is being observed under the theme, “Family Farming: ‘Feeding the world, caring for the earth.’”
Ramsammy said the real intent of the “Eat What We Produce” campaign is that the people value and cherish local produce.
In terms of food security, he said Guyana and other countries in Caricom, such as Barbados and the Bahamas, have seen citizens surpassing the recommended calorie intake at just over 3,000. However, he noted that while many children going to school have enough calories they do not have the proper nutrition.
Globally, he added, there is enough food being produced to feed everyone but better systems need to be put in place to provide easier access to food.
Ramsammy noted plans to promote locally produced potatoes and garlic just like cauliflower and broccoli were before. He added that some of the produce that the country can ship to North America it cannot ship to fellow Caricom countries which have been unresponsive on imports from Guyana.
Meanwhile, according to Chief Executive Officer of NAREI Dr. Oudho Homenauth, who spoke at the event, the enhancement of agriculture is being done through family farming and the use of technology and there is also a new component of the ‘Grow More Food’ initiative with the ‘Eat What We Produce’ campaign.
