GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP):

Guyana says it will distribute seeds and plants to local farmers after receiving US$250,000 from the United Nations to ensure a steady food supply for the region.

The South American country is the largest agricultural producer of a 15-member Caribbean trade bloc.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud says the country requested US$1 million from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation to help offset spiralling food prices.

He said yesterday that "we wanted much more than what they are giving us."

Persaud said the money has not been received but that the Government was clearing land for additional crops.