-The farmers of East Canje, Berbice

For Hardat Sham life is certainly not a leisure since a regular day starts very early in the morning and usually ends late at night tending to cattle and having a farm is a full-time job.

The 47-year-old is a cattle and plantain farmer, who resides in a tiny village across the Canje Creek, East Canje, Berbice.

That day, he was on his way from his farm where his cattle is and an acreage of plantains, way down, New Forest Village.

Sham was on horseback and was in a rush to get into his speedboat to get home before the tide changed that day.

He is originally from Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice but has a house across the Canje Creek, in a place called Philadelphia.

He would stay there to get to his cows and tend to his farm daily via horseback.

The horse, ‘Lazy Man’ he has had for five years and it is a good workhorse whenever he is in the mood.

Sham would sell his produce, only plantains, to wholesale buyers every year since plantains take a year to fully grow.

He would have to get to the cows every morning to ensure they graze and all are accounted for since he suffered a few losses due to wild animals on the farm.

Sham has two plantain farms along that stretch of road, which goes for like 10 miles and between tending to the cows and the crops, he is quite busy.

“I just came from looking at the cows, so now I am heading home to get some rest to return later to secure the cattle before nightfall. I want to get across the creek before the tide changes,” he said.

Sham would leave his beloved horse secure and get home via his small boat, which is outfitted with an outboard engine.

“Life here is hard work from dusk to dawn and it entails manual labour,” he said.

Sometimes Sham would provide employment for some men when he needs extra hands for work, but when he can handle the workload he would do that single-handedly.

Like most men in that section of Berbice, Sham is a hard worker, toiling to earn an honest dollar for their home and families.

Rohit Gangadin
Meanwhile, also in New Forest Village is the home of Rohit Gangadin, who is a farmer and an employee attached to the Guysuco Pump Station in that village.

Gangadin is the father of three and the grandfather of three, some of whom reside with him in an extended family setting.

The 56-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he works at the Pump Station of a shift system and is also a farmer.

He has some cash crops, and he lost most of his poultry during the flood last year and would also catch fish in the village when he has the time.

Gangadin enjoys a quiet, country life of work and being at home mostly since he doesn’t have many neighbours.

His village is far-fetched, but he likes it there for the quiet peacefulness and the space and fresh air with no large crowd or many activities.

“This place would get better if we get potable water and electricity because it is very dark here, and I am saving up to buy a solar panel for the light,” he said.

Gangadin added that he has four creole fowls left, and he is undecided if he wants to continue rearing chickens.

He reported that the floodwaters were about two feet high and lasted for six months which destroyed his crops and poultry.

The New Forest resident stated that life is simple back there and he would ensure there is something in the pot every day even though they do not have much.

Gangadin and his family would keep abreast with that happening by listening to a small battery-operated radio that is on mostly during the day.

There is no television, but they have a cell phone.

They use the rainwater for drinking and the creek water is used for household chores.

“I like it here but we need the basic necessities to improve our lives, but other than that, we have the quiet and peace we need here,” he said.

He gets around on his bicycle since the taxi fare to get in and out of the village is costly.