– make it the ‘bread-basket’ of the  Caribbean once again

By Naomi Parris

THE Farmers Advancement Network (FAN), a group of cash-crop farmers from Belle West, West Bank Demerara, is optimistic that with the support of more local farmers and the relevant authorities, they can become the ‘bread-basket’ of Guyana and the Caribbean.
FAN President, Mahadeo Deokarran told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that he’d applied for a piece of land from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) some time ago, but was only successful in acquiring it in 2016, following the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate.

He said that given the difficulty he’d had in acquiring that land, he decided to band together a few like-minded persons, among them ex-sugar workers who were interested in his vision for a safe haven for farmers in the region.

“Since 2012, I personally applied to acquire a piece of land from GuySuCo/NICIL, and only two years things got into action,” Deokarran said. “On roll we have like 80 members; it was like three acres per person. And as it is right now, we are progressing very smoothly, because the 80 persons already have a few crops on their farmlands, and they start getting some produce. So, as it is right now, I can say we are seeing great progress.”

That progress notwithstanding, there are still a few challenges dogging the organisation; and they all have to do with infrastructure. Things like drainage and irrigation (D&I) and access bridges to their homesteads, which he is hoping could be addressed by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Deokarran noted that when he first started the project, all he wanted to do was be an entrepreneur of sorts, and provide jobs for a few youths in Belle West and other surrounding communities through farming.

he soon came to realise that making that start was no easy task, but with the help of a few hardy souls like himself, who are all part of the network, they’ve been have been able to reap the benefits of their hard work and perseverance, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak, since the initiative has seen them not having to worry about where their next meal will come from.

“The good side of it is that it helps individuals to get more serious and cultivate more in the COVID-19 situation,” he said. “And we see the good sign in it, because we get to be more independent.”

ULTIMATE GOAL
He told the Guyana Chronicle that FAN’s ultimate goal is to be the ‘bread-basket’ of Guyana and by extension the entire Caribbean, since he believes that agriculture is the pillar of economic development across the region.

“We are looking to be the ‘bread-basket’; to start first in our own country, then on a wider scale,” Deokarran said. “We are looking to be the ‘bread-basket’ of the Caribbean, because we see the potential. And I know we have among us the assets, in terms of the wide base; and we have capable people to take us to that,” he added.
NICIL’s Mr. Charles Browne said he’s been working closely with Mr. Deokarran and the other members of FAN, helping them go through all the legal channels in getting the organisation registered, as well as providing them with whatever heavy machinery and equipment they may need for land preparation and drainage and irrigation and such like.

He said he’s no intention of giving up on them, as he’s in it for the long haul; providing them with whatever support they may need, since he, too, has a vision for agriculture in the region.

“It shows that these farmers were indeed determined,” he said. “And while it was viewed as marginal lands, they were able to demonstrate that several cash crops can be planted on this land. As such, a decision was taken to lease these lands instead of having persons squat on them. And as they say, the rest is history; as originally, we gave first preference to ex-GuySuCo employees,” Browne said, adding:
“There are several persons who continue to approach me and the office daily, seeking land, because they have recognised what this place has become, and they want to be a part of it.”

Browne said he has always encouraged persons to seek financial assistance collectively, either as an organisation or a group to see better results.
“I have reminded them that they would garner more assistance if they seek help as a group, rather than as individuals, and thus far, they have proceeded to legally register themselves,” Browne said.