 The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development is all set to host the much-anticipated Coconut and Casava Festival, which forms part of a series of festivals organised by the ministry to promote local production and consumption. The Miko Plain fill on Sunday, August 27th, will transform into a vibrant hub of activity as local farmers and entrepeneurs from various communities will proudly present their coconut and cassava-based creations ranging from delicious culinary delights to exquisite handicrafts. Event coordinator Philip Sidney says with the focus on two of the island's most cherished crops, visitors can expect to be immersed in a celebration of flavours, traditions and community spirit. There will be an array of goodies to be showcased on derivatives coming from both cassava and coconuts. Over the years, cassava traditionally was grown in rural areas and producing cassava and farina alone. Right now there's a diversity of various commodities coming from cassava and the same for coconuts. We had the coconut factory in Souffre producing soups and oils. Right now you have people in the rural areas doing a lot of products with both cassava. And there's a marriage between cassava and coconuts because they are products that are being done with both cassava and coconuts together. So on Sunday at the Miko Plain fill, it starts at 10 o'clock and you will see we have approximately 40 producers showcasing their products. Even the schools are going to be present. In addition to the gastronomic delights, the coconut and cassava festival will feature a variety of musical performances as well as a kid's zone. Sidney says this event is not only a showcase of agricultural excellence but also a platform to celebrate the artistic and cultural heritage of St. Lucia. It's a family day and we expect you to come and spend the day with us at the Miko Plain field. There will be a kid's zone so the kids will also be given a chance to enjoy themselves on that day and there will be food on sale, drinks on sale and the exhibition will also showcase what is being produced and you have a chance to buy from the producers themselves. To keep you there we are going to have entertainment galore. We have tea blacks, we have Oshun, we have Envide and the list goes on and on and we will be ending at 6 o'clock in the evening. So we expect you to come on board and to ensure that our food security is secured as the the theme say enhancing our food and nutrition security. With the objective of nurturing a stronger link between the agricultural sector and the local community the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development extends an invitation urging the public to come together and revel in the richness of our diverse culture at the Coconut and Cassava Festival. From the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anicia Antoine reporting.