Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Latvian farmers protested outside the Ministry of Agriculture in Riga, calling for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Martins Roze, Diena reported.

The farmers, from the northern region of Limbazu, drove to the capital today and are ready to stay in the center until their demands are met, said Valdis Mozvillo, one of the farmers, according to the newspaper.

Latvian farmers want Roze, who has served as minister for about six years, replaced because their demands for increased subsidies and credit guarantees haven’t been met. The government may agree to guarantee dairy farmers’ loans for a year, Diena cited Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis as saying in a television interview.

Latvia and neighboring Lithuania have faced unrest over government austerity measures enacted in response to the global economic decline.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Eglitis in Riga at aeglitis@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 3, 2009 04:22 EST