Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton presents a mango tree to Sharon Edwards, participant in the 'Cassava Challenge' competition at a presentation ceremony, at The Gleaner Company Limited's North Street offices, downtown Kingston, on Monday. - JIS Photo

In support of the Ministry of Agriculture's call to the nation to plant more cassava and miniature fruit trees and start backyard gardens, Food recently threw out the challenge to readers to submit dishes made with cassava as the main ingredient. We received many entries and three winners were selected after their creations were judged.

Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton, through the Rural Agricultural Development Agency, threw its support behind the contest and donated 100 miniature fruit trees to the three winners.

The winners received miniature trees - pomegranate, sweet sop, jack fruit, naseberry, guava, cashew, June plum, mango, ackee and custard apple.

They are miniature variety and were grafted at the ministry's research and development division at Bodles in St Catherine.

The Gleaner's Daviot Kelly presents Sharon Edwards with a gift, courtesy of Wisynco, for her sweet cassava chicken casserole. Edwards also received 25 fruit trees, as well as Blackwell Gold Rum and a gift from The Gleaner. She placed third. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor

Rosetta Falconer, who was not at the presentation, won first prize of three dozen miniature fruit trees, a Claro phone, planting material and fertiliser, as well as Blackwell Gold Rum. - Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore

Lifestyle Coordinator Nashauna Drummond (right), presents Ona Gordon with one of several fruit trees that she won for placing second in the 'Cassava Challenge' contest. She also received fertiliser, vegetable seeds and potting mix from the Ministry of Agriculture as well as gifts from The Gleaner, J. Wray and Nephew Limited and Blackwell Gold Rum. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor