The ‘Grow More’ campaign launched by the Ministry of Agriculture in March, in light of the rising food prices globally, has intensified with Ministry officials moving around the country encouraging residents to get on board and providing assistance in the form of agricultural materials.  
The campaign also encourages farmers to increase crop cultivation and livestock rearing to ensure adequate food supplies for themselves, their country and to help satisfy the demand in the Caribbean Region and internationally. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team from his Ministry, officials from the Regional Democratic Council and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), yesterday conducted meetings in Region Three on the “Grow More” campaign at the Windsor Forest and Goed Fortuin primary schools.
The Minster addressed some of the pressing issues affecting farmers and continued his appeal to grow more to offset the current high food prices. Among the issues addressed were the effects of  climate change, maintenance of drainage and irrigation structures, accessibility to export markets,  and high oil prices which are  major contributing factors affecting food crops  locally and internationally. The need for farmers to become proactive in the fight against climate change and the proper management of farms was stressed by the Minister.
         The Ministry through its agencies will continue to give farmers needed support by providing services such as farmers’ field training and Extension services agents. The acquisition and distribution of new technology and new techniques will also stimulate increased production, the Minister said, to help mitigate challenges facing the sector.
        Production of other crops will significantly be boosted in the region with major drainage and irrigation works being done, and bridges and access roads completed. It was noted that through the Agricultural Services Support Programme (ASSP), farmers benefited through the provision of $37 M for drainage and irrigation. The canals and primary drainage system in farming communities were cleaned.
He reiterated that “we live in a world in which food is becoming a scarce commodity” and urged farmers to cooperate and strive for a modern and competitive food sector.
Farmers were given planting materials and pamphlets on the ‘Grow More’ campaign.