Prospect farmer talks about the trials and joys of agriculture

THERE are many sides to agriculture. On the one hand, there is the large, vibrant and industrial aspect of agriculture.
On the other hand, small-scale farming is done at the family level with the goal of being self-sustaining. Regardless of whether it is a massive agricultural endeavour with tons of harvest or a family business with just a few crops on their community’s farmland, agriculture is a major part of Guyana.

For the last three decades, lifelong farmer and plant lover, Frankie Hookumchand has called Prospect home. Born and raised in Mahaica, Frankie stated that agriculture has always surrounded him. “Growing up in Rising Sun it was farming mostly, most things like farming– cattle farming and sheep rearing, goat, pigs,” He said. “We used to sell pigs and cows for a raise. My family had a lot, we had over three, four hundred of them.”

Rice farming is an integral part of life in Mahaicony. Most people have dabbled with rice farming at one point or another, and Frankie is no exception. Apart from farming the rice, Frankie utilised the byproducts for his livestock. “When the rice is cut, you lose the animals, and they would go and eat the paddy in the field. We had enough sheep, though. We had enough sheep and goats. We had over five hundred sheep and two [to] three hundred goats.”

As rice farming became bigger in the region, Frankie and his wife shifted from livestock. As he shared, “I used to plant ten acres, I think. We had our own tractor.” He further added that “The only challenge is this drainage. There is no drainage for the garden. Because back here is a rice field and all the water is lodged back here. The road drain runs at the back, so no water leaves the land, and it is blocked. That can’t be drained, so it cannot come right out.”

Emphasising the significance of agriculture to the region, Frankie says that agriculture has become a tradition. He shared, “Farming is a big thing in Prospect and gardening. The majority of people here use the pipe water for gardening.” He further added, “Agriculture is the most important part here. Because not a lot of people get employment they go into farming.”

After working with rice and fields, Frankie has changed pace with his 9 to 5 job. He still finds time for his garden, however. “But when I come home in the afternoon, I am still doing a little farming.” As someone who loves the land as much as Frankie does, it begs the question why he stopped at all. He explained that if it was not for a massive flood that happened some years ago, he would still be farming today. He explained that the sea defence had worn away, a long-time fear of farmers in the area that finally came to pass five years ago.

Frankie says the community has become better at managing the sea defence over the last five years. “Now they are maintaining it right now. And they have put boulders and built back the thing.” The loss the flood caused was unimaginable and devastating, causing the family to lose all of their crops and livestock. “I had to go and join the security force. I am now working with the security.” He further added, “You don’t get back anything. You have to also do something else.”

Frankie went on further to say that farming is not as risky as many think; the weather is often a farmer’s only contender. “It’s not so risky, but only when the bad weather gets over, you plant the leaves and you make the rain come in and catch you. And it’s not big, like 30, 40 acres.”

Since then, Frankie has retired from farming and now indulges in gardening. He explained that plants and farming, to any extent, seem to be a tradition in the community. “Well, since I came here, I’ve met them with this kind of thing. Cattle-rearing, sheep-rearing. It’s like a generation passing. So we continue with the tradition. It’s a tradition.”

Reflecting true contentment, Frankie says that living in Prospect is as easy as it gets. However, he would like to see more activities implemented for the children of the village. “Living in Prospect is nice. All I would want to see is something more for the children of the village, somewhere they could go and spend time.”

Today, in his 60s, Frankie is living life at its best. He works as a security guard throughout the day and comes home in the evenings to spend time with his family and his garden.