Agriculture Minister hands over plants and seed materials to FITUG
- “We see the Trade Union as a partner in this effort” Minister Persaud

Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2008

As part of promoting the “Grow More” campaign the Ministry of Agriculture has taken a proactive approach towards introducing the programme to the working class people.
            Today, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud met President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Carvil Duncan at the Ministry, where he donated fruit plants and vegetable seed materials to the trade union.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, handing over seed materials to President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana Carvil Duncan, along with other representatives of the Agriculture sector.      

 Part of their discussion was the global situation on the rising food prices and the collaborative effort that the two entities can engage in to encourage workers to become involved in the process of producing more food.
Minister Persaud said “ we have met with the private sector and we are engaging a number of representative groups and trying to get sections of society involved in the grow more campaign.”
This approach he said is not only directed to farmers and potential producers but working with the representative organizations and the trade unions in mobilizing and organizing their members to get involved.

Minister Persaud said “we see the trade union as a partner in this effort not only to distribute the seed material but also in organizing workers either into farmers groups, farmers associations and also organizing and encouraging workers to buy in large quantities through the trade union bodies.”
            Duncan said they are some who are blaming the administration for not doing anything and there are others who believe that the food shortage is a Guyana scenario.
However, in reality the food shortage is a worldwide phenomenon and FITUG looks at it as a situation that will affect the working people and is already making preparations to deal with the rise in food prices by purchasing supplies in bulk for its membership.

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