DHANEERAN Mangal is a large-scale citrus farmer of Beri-Bissiballi Village, located on the right bank of the Essequibo River, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) but he is not getting markets for his citrus; as such, hundreds of oranges, limes, lemons and tangerines are going to waste. A guided tour of a part of his farm revealed dozens of the fallen fruits rotting, since Mangal doesn’t have a ready market for his produce.

The 59-year-old reported that he is originally from Lanaballi, the neighbouring village, but moved to Beri-Bissiballi where he currently resides and has his cultivation. The father of two stated that he is accustomed to the traditional way of life of simplicity and hard work as were his parents and fore-parents and he comes from a long line of farmers.

Mangal also has a few acres of sweet fig bananas which is often referred to as “Parika Bananas” and some coconuts. His wife and youngest son reside at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, while his eldest son lives in a house next door to his cottage. Mangal told the Pepperpot Magazine that Beri-Bissiballi Village has 45 families, all of whom depend heavily on farming to earn.

“They plant mostly yams, sweet figs, plantains, pumpkins and cash crops here because of the soil composition, but getting the produce out is a challenge and the market isn’t readily available, since there is a flood on the market,” he said. Mangal is now trying his hand at bee-keeping and has an apiary and will see how that goes, since he is still in the learning stage.

He started the pollination of Africanised bees in August and he has harvested some honey from his home-made beehives. The farmer pointed out that he would buy seedlings from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and he is one of the seedless lime producers and would have to journey to Parika, West Coast Demerara and in the city to sell his produce since it is perishable.

Mangal said they go through a lot of challenges as farmers and one of the most stubborn issues is with acoushi ants which would destroy their crops. “Six weeks ago they had a rainstorm which came with heavy winds, bending the bamboos to the ground and flattened my entire crop like other farmers and we couldn’t complain but start all over again,” he said.

Mangal explained that the supply of citrus is more than the demand; as such, he would often carry losses and at other times he would get good prices for his produce. Citrus produce would take 18 months to start bearing and after three years of abandoned bearing it would cease and would be replaced by a new budded plant.

He disclosed that the village has a nursery, primary and secondary school in one compound, a health centre and a mandir. In Beri-Bissiballi Village the locals eat their produce in a “farm-to-the-table” lifestyle and they would fish and hunt for meats and try to be self-sufficient as much as possible, being a far-flung community.

This village is without electricity, potable water supply, and the cellular networks are very poor. Mangal said that as part of Region Three, the farmers would like the administration to visit and listen to their concerns and offer whatever assistance they can to make their lives easier.

When the team visited most of the residents, who came via boats to engage the team had gathered at Mangal’s place, a lovely oasis which has a breathtaking riverside view and the place is very well kept. The farm runs deep within the village and everything is very orderly and Mangal has in his employ several staff, for whom he provides adequate accommodation. Beri-Bissiballi Village is a lovely breezy place where the air is fresh and one can simply relax in a hammock and let the world go by.