SHERIFF Gaznabbi is a resident of Unity Backdam, East Coast Demerara and a rice and cash crop farmer. He is responsible for the productive inter-cropping of coconuts through climate-smart agriculture via his three-acre coconut estate at the edge of the community.

Gaznabbi reported that his shade house was a funded project at the cost of $1M and it was funded by the European Union (EU) and he has also partnered with four other agencies to promote farming.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that apart from his crops of five-year coconuts – some of the biggest coconuts he has ever seen – he has celery, peppers, etc.

Gaznabbi added that three years ago, he was asked to be a part of the agricultural project and he had to recommend 10 persons, also farmers, which he did.

He explained that he is a steady supplier of 20,000 coconuts and at times to keep his customers, he would have to purchase coconuts to meet the demand.

Gaznabbi is a rice farmer who cultivates his crops in Branch Road, Mahaicony but hasn’t had a good harvest since last year due to challenges.

This farmer heads the Alliances for Coconut Industry Development, Expansion and Enhanced Support for the Caribbean (Coconuts 11) project at his home and farm in Unity Backdam.

Darshan Tullaram, the cash crop farmer
Meanwhile, Darshan Tullaram is also a farmer, and he cultivates his backyard with crops of celery, callaloo and other seasonings such as fine thyme, married man pork and peppers.

The father of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been living in the village for the past 30 years and his only daughter is married and has her own house next door while his unmarried sons are at home with him, but they would leave the community for work.

He inherited his father’s place when he passed away and he was also a farmer.

Tullaram added that he would mostly sell his produce to wholesale buyers and at times would go to Bourda market to sell.

The farmer related that the place is nice, the neighbours are similarly nice, and they live in harmony with no bickering or issues.

Tullaram is a large-scale celery farmer and presently he has 23 banks with an additional 14 banks of small ones.

Doreen Mohamed Osman, the stay-at-home wife/farmer
Doreen Mohamed Osman is a pleasant resident of Unity Backdam. She was making a spicy fish curry on an outdoor stove when the team visited that day and had already completed household chores.

The 48-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she supports her husband, who is a farmer and they grow crops of seasonings and vegetables of which they sell to wholesalers.

In addition to farming, Osman is also rearing some layers and they have a very simple way of life which entails hard work.

She stated that when she completes all the work, they will go for a drive before returning home that day which was a national holiday, Easter Monday.

“I like it here because it is very quiet and it is ideal for us since we have the space needed to farm and earn,” she said.

Osman reported that she is from the roadside of the same village and married 25 years ago and began living in Unity Backdam, which has become her home.