Farmers, food processors, financiers, and restaurateurs made up part of the crowd Tuesday at Manitoba Agriculture's industry consultation, focusing on opportunities for growth in the sector.

Nearly 100 stakeholders attended the meeting in Portage la Prairie, for a mix of conversation and presentations. Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler says it was great to get feedback from both producers and consumers, but it's never enough.

"Well, yeah, we need to know more of it," Eichler says, "and to not only be open for business, but to make sure we knock the silos down, make sure we get some of the red tape, which I've been mandated to do, and (figure out) how to work together in order to bring forward the demands and see the province of Manitoba grow and prosper — and be the most improved province, come the end of the day."

Eichler says big part of the industry is also to do with keeping non-farmers and consumers informed.

"Knowing that it's safe, but it's also good value and it's processed in a way that's going to be sustainable as well," he says. "So we heard most of that today, and we'll be having that conversation again as the days and months go forward. So we want to make sure we're prepared to carry forward the message that our people had to share with us here in Portage."

Eichler will be attending the Federal Ag Meeting in Calgary later this month, and plans to bring forward the issues raised at the consultation.