– togetherness, balance key to success
STAKEHOLDERS from support groups for farmers in the agriculture sector have long since advocated for organized representation, because of the simple fact that there is strength in numbers.
The Guyana Chronicle caught up with one of many Famers’ Groups, the Siriki Farmers’ Group from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); and the general consensus was that a united front would pave the way for their advancement.
This is particularly important given the fact that Siriki is a small community in a relatively remote area, at the end of the Siriki Creek, which extends approximately one mile in from the Pomeroon River.

New Haven Siriki is a small community of about 70 households; and of these, close to 30 individuals, one representative from a home, are part of the Farmers’ Group.
The community is largely populated by Amerindians and the homes in the area, as well as a community centre and other buildings, were constructed by Food for the Poor (FFTP).
This is similar to the Princeville Community Development, Mainstay/ Whyaka, Region Two, where Government collaborated with Food for the Poor Inc and Roetheli Lil’ Red Foundation to provide housing, commerce, education and water and sanitation in Mainstay/ Whyaka. The project saw the construction of 65 houses and sanitary blocks and one trading store, among other efforts.
At the community’s inauguration, in June this year, the Executive Director of Food for the Poor Guyana, Leon Davis, said that Food for the Poor has embarked on several housing projects, constructing in excess of 1,000 houses at various locations throughout the country.
These, he said, have contributed to the development of five villages, the last three of which have become a reality with the collaboration of the Roetheli Lil’ Red Foundation.
On the same occasion, Mr. Roetheli indicated that although the foundation wants to see the establishment of other villages to provide proper housing for families, it will focus on the three villages it has invested in to aid the creation of micro-enterprises.

With the vision of creating micro-enterprises and the presence of the requisite support, including material and technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture for agriculture endeavours, the Siriki Farmers’ Group pressed on.
Probably the most tangible form of support was the commitment by the current administration to clear 10 acres per farmer in select communities to advance agricultural activity.
This is being done under the Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development (READ) Project.
Agriculture Field Assistant in Region Two, with responsibility for communities along the Pomeroon River, Cleveland Kellawan, told the Guyana Chronicle that several plots have been demarcated and farmers are waiting for leases to expand their activities and, in other cases, to start up cultivation.
“Pomeroon has about 1,800 farmers …with the support they can do well,” he said.
However, agricultural endeavours in the area are not without challenges.

76-year-old Vernon Ferose

Seventy-six-year-old Vernon Ferose is a farmer in Siriki, and according to him, because of the challenges, many farmers have abandoned their plots and moved to greener pastures.
“Siriki is a place that, 10 or 15 years back, we had many people doing farming…not the lands neglected,” he said.
As for himself, Ferose said his crops include oranges, bananas and coffee, among others.
He said his main challenge is that of pricing, but he noted that, with some more coordination, the Siriki Farmers’ Group can secure fair prices for their farmers.
“This (agriculture) is what I have done most of my life and this is what I will continue with,” Ferose posited.

Carol Gouveia

Ms. Carol Gouveia, who has been in Siriki for 40 years, said her activities include the cultivation of oranges, coffee and plantains, among others.
“People buy from right in the river, but the cheap price is the only bad thing,” she said.
However, Gouveia stressed that she was optimistic about some change as the Siriki Farmers’ Group gets its footing.
“For now in Siriki it is quiet. The life here is one like a family, everybody together,” she said.

Natilee Fernandes

Farmer Natilee Fernandes reiterated these sentiments and pointed out that being born and raised in Siriki gives one a bias about the community.
“You leave and see other places, but you always come back to Siriki,” she said, “People who come to Siriki always want to come back.”
One group, Fernandes stressed, that she would like to leave the community, however, is the acoushi ants.
The acoushi ants, or leaf cutting ants, are major pests wherever they are and currently the recommended control method is ant bait developed and made available by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).
Aside from the destructive ants, Fernandes pointed out that prices are the only other challenge.

Rann Edwards

Another farmer, Rann Edwards, told the Guyana Chronicle that water in her area is a major problem, mainly because of works needed on the drainage and irrigation system.
Also, because Siriki is in a hilly area, there is a need for water harvesting mechanisms for farmers to be able to efficiently utilize rainfall and reduce their water problems.

Genevieve Ramdatt

Genevieve Ramdatt had little to say except that farming is good, but the prices are bad.
She made this point to stress that Siriki is “a village to love and live”, and a place where together persons work to address whatever challenge exists.
In this context, Ramdatt said once the Siriki Farmer’s Group goes to the markets together, then changes with the problem of pricing will be seen.

Herby Williams

Mr. Herby Williams said, “You could live here (Siriki).”
He noted that his biggest problem is the parrots in the area that have taken a liking to his carambola plants or five-finger plants.
“What we need is more visits from the technical people…with the support we can do a lot more,” Williams said.
He observed that there is a long way to go to ensuring that more is done to improve the livelihood of the average farmer, but was optimistic that some progress can be made through the Siriki Farmers’ Group.
The Siriki Farmers’ Group shows that there is an element of dynamism to be applauded when moves are made together as a group.
More importantly, Siriki teaches that balance is key to success.