Dextor Southwell and his newfound love
By Wendella Davidson
AT 33, Dextor Earl Southwell, a former policeman and private sector employee, has already envisioned himself being a well-established farmer, in terms of the production of regular cash crops and value-added products, in another five years.
A resident of Sandvoort Village, West Canje, Berbice, Dextor says he works in collaboration with an uncle, and together they are currently cultivating approximately 60 percent of a 90-acres of leased land in the Sandvoort backlands, with a diverse array of cash crops, inclusive of calaloo, corn, ochroes, watermelons, along with a variety of peppers.

In addition, they are into aquatics the rearing of the `hassar’ fish in commercial quantities, the rearing of poultry, and the production of virgin coconut oil and honey. Of the latter, to date, they have on hand 12 hives with the Africanised bees and they have plans to expand to about 100 by next year. Dextor explained too, that of the portion of land currently being used, one section is for the planting of grass for grazing several cows and sheep they have on hand. The young farmer said he has also been successful in the production of eggs from the rearing of quail birds that are imported from the United States and Canada. The eggs, he added, he retails to shops and supermarkets in his community and some of eggs are also available in supermarkets in the city.

Dextor, in a telephone interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, disclosed that he acquired his formative education at the Sandvoort Primary School before moving on to the Berbice High School, where he gained five subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.
Born as the second of six children (five boys and one girl) to Jerrick and Yonette Southwell, the young man said he landed his first job as a policeman and remained in the force for five years before calling it quits. He subsequently joined the staff of Fix-It Hardware, Black & Decker which initially had a business in Barrack Street, Kingston and has now expanded to Main Street. Dextor said he left that place of employment in July 2015 as an Inventory Manager and has since been self-employed.

He added that he has no regrets whatsoever about his decision to venture into agriculture, as according to him, the field activity has helped him to build his self-esteem while the farm has afforded him his independence.
He reasoned that “as long as you work a regular job, be it in the public or private sector, it is either you leave the job or the job leaves you.” He stated too that for various reasons `the bossman’ can come up with reasons to terminate your services, be it for downsizing purposes or because the business is not making enough profit.

“On the other hand when you work for yourself, there’s no one to tell you you’re fired, so you have to be motivated and always be eager to build on what you have,” he added.
With the knowledge that farming is a time-consuming and tedious work, and having decided to make it a career, Dextor has to date acquired several pieces of equipment which he uses to aid in his land preparation activities.
And according to him,” once you know you have access to land and the requisite infrastructure is in place, farming can become very viable. He is, however, urging that farmers should as much as possible, minimise the use of fertilisers. “People the world over are becoming more and more health conscious and are embracing organic foods, hence the need to stay away from fertilisers,” he said.

FARMING IS NO BLUFF
A firm bit advice from this soon-to-be-father, to other young men and woman who are contemplating going into farming is: “You cannot bluff farming. Once you put in the hard work in terms of your land preparation and take proper care of your plants you are bound to succeed.
“Do not allow persons to distract you from making your vision become a reality. Always strive to go the extra mile and have the determination and willingness and you will succeed. And never underestimate the value of education, it is a necessity, it is the basis on which you will succeed, always seek to put your best foot forward in whatever you do, even if it is farming.”

Dextor, who says there are about 10 youth farmers in his area, says they share ideas. He has expressed gratitude to PROPEL for the invaluable input they have extended in the areas of technical support and other assistance including follow-ups and visitations.