Exploring the deep roots and bright future of agriculture in Cove and John
THE community of Cove and John has a history rooted deep within agriculture. From its first people who founded the village on the back of agriculture to the revolutionary modern industrialised agriculture the village hosts today.
Cove and John is the embodiment of the agricultural excellence of the nation. The village is bordered by vast rice farmlands that are at the centre of countless villagers’ livelihoods. Deonarine Shiwsankar is one of these rice farmers. Deonarine was born and raised in Cove and John and knows the impact agriculture has had on the community better than many.
Growing up in Cove and John
Throughout the years, many have coined the community of Cove and John ‘Little India.’ The title was derived from the village’s past of indentureship, which left many Indians to settle in the community. Through the years, however, the village has seen diversity flourish. People from all walks of life from surrounding communities have settled in the community. Deonarine shared this as one of the best qualities of his community.
Growing up, he fondly remembers the peaceful relationships shared among neighbours, African and Indian alike. This culture of unity has had a great impact on Deonarine’s upbringing. He sums up the experiences of his youth in a few words, sharing that, “I was born and raised here, it was good. Everybody used to live well.”
After attending school in the surrounding area, Deonarine embarked on a new venture, which was marriage. He met his wife when he was quite young, and the pair got married sometime after. As blissful as marriage was, children came, and the family had to make crucial decisions. As the family grew, so did the struggles. Faced with challenges and opportunities, Deonarine set out for the United States of America, where he spent 17 years working in New York.
Venturing from the then-smaller, humble village of Cove and John to the vastness of the ‘Big Apple’ was a change unlike any other. And according to Deonarine, the people were as cold as the weather. He admitted that he missed his homeland, stating that, “I never really liked living in America. It was cold and I had to work hard.”
But faced with adversities, Deonarine called upon the resilience and lessons he learned in Guyana. He developed his skills and eventually became a certified plumber. He shared his experiences; working in the countless homes and apartment buildings of New York day in and day out was a feat on its own; but knowing you have a family to provide for was a challenge many could not undertake. His wife and children eventually moved to New York, and for many years, Deonarine was unsure whether he would return home to Guyana.
But the love for his country and the desire to retire in the Caribbean sun pushed him to return a few years ago. Returning from the cold, was like picking up where he left off. As he stated, “I came back to Guyana about a year or so ago to live. I started rice farming again and opened a little shop.”
Roots and Resilience
Agriculture in New York is an unfamiliar concept as that concrete jungle has very little greenery, leaving Deonarine feeling disconnected from nature. Growing up, his family, like many others, was dependent on agriculture. Beginning with his great-grandparents, Deonarine’s family has deep agricultural roots, and none more prominent than that of rice. Rice farming has played an integral role in the development of the community and the region throughout the years.
It was a pivotal economic power some three or four decades ago, and many people came to the community in search of the chance to grow rice. But it is a massive undertaking. As Deonarine shares, rice farming is by no means easy. It requires knowing the weather and keeping a close eye on the crop.
As he shared, “I came back and started rice farming again. I opened a shop with agricultural things for rice. I know plenty about rice and many people come here and ask me about their field.”
Returning to the Roots
Today, rice is still alive and well in the village of Cove and John. The old trade does seem to be getting some new craftsmen, however. There has been an increase in younger people getting into agriculture in the community, particularly rice. Deonarine considers this a good thing.
He tries his utmost to help the younger generation of rice farmers in any way he can, whether it be advice or helping them find the cure to the issues they may not know how to solve. For Deonarine, returning to Guyana, although a big change, was still a familiar one. Returning to Guyana was like coming back to the one thing he has always known. He explained that his many years abroad did not do much to change him. He is happy that he learned all that he did. But at the end of the day, returning to his roots just felt right.
