Large-scale food producers

DEVINDRAKUMAR Tulsieram, like most men in Big Biaboo Village, Mahaica River, is a farmer whose main crop is bora which is harvested three to four times per week, giving the farmers a fast turnover.

The father of two told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has reaped from his cultivation for the first time following the floods which destroyed his crops and he will be able to make another harvest next month if good weather persists.

Tulsieram explained that his home is Big Biaboo and it is a place he has to work and live because farming has always been a part of his life.

The 32-year-old disclosed that when he has the time, he would go fishing in the creek or the Mahaica River, but they would mostly have to buy fish for consumption.

Generally, he is taking things one day at a time but stated that due to climate change, the weather is unpredictable; the weather conditions have everything to do with having a good harvest.

Eshwar Rambarran
Eshwar Rambarran is an unmarried farmer who is yet to make a harvest since pests have overwhelmed his crop of bora following the recent floods in his village.

He related that the cost of farming supplies has sky-rocketed and has a heavy bearing on his pockets as a small-time farmer whose only source of income is farming.

Rambarran disclosed that Big Biaboo is the second to last community on that road with a total of 15 villages, and he is pleased that the road in their village is developing into an all-weather road and they can soon benefit from electricity and potable water supply.

Mohini Bhola, the widow
Mohini Bhola is a widow who is tasked with taking care of two children and she is a part-time domestic worker and a farmer.

Her main crop is bora. Her children are ages five and eight, and she does her best to ensure that they attend school regularly.

Bhola noted that life is fair in Big Biaboo Village and she is hopeful it will get even better when they get electricity, internet, potable water and an all-weather road.

She has been residing in the village for the past six years and she likes the quiet farming life. She was by her neighbour when the team visited, assisting in preparing a meal of chicken cook-up-rice on the outdoor fireside that day.

The 42-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that Big Biaboo is a good place to reside and the people are neighbourly.

Dhanrajie Persaud, the cash crop farmer
Dhanrajie Persaud, better known as ‘Dolly’ has a few neighbours consisting of families; she is quite happy and contented with life as it is.

Persaud, 49, is also a farmer of boulanger, ochro, bora, among other cash crops. On Saturdays, she would go to Mon Repos Market, also on the East Coast Demerara, to sell her produce.

In addition, she rears ducks and creole chickens. She also has two puppies that were tied and under the house, playing comfortably.

The local of Big Biaboo added that she would have to leave the village to shop since things are costly at the few shops they have in neighbouring communities. The bulk shopping is done at central Mahaicony and elsewhere.

Persaud is the mother of seven and only two of her children are still residing with her since they are minors.

Harry Persaud, the young farmer
The team also met a young farmer, Harry Persaud, whose only crop is bora and he would sell it to wholesalers who frequent the community to re-sell at markets and to vendors.

The 24-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that job opportunities are very slim in that part of the country and that one can only earn if they become a farmer.

As the father of two, he didn’t have any other options and he started to cultivate bora even before he was married to earn.

“Around here, our main source of income is farming; we produce a lot of food here, home-grown, and we sell it to earn,” he said.

Persaud added that he is hoping to acquire more land for farming because he would like to plant bora on a larger scale.

He explained that life would be better when they benefit from electricity, all-weather road, potable water and internet service.