By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

THE government’s shade house project, initiated by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and launched by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, is making a significant impact on female farmers in the Corentyne.
With nearly 50 per cent of the shade houses established, the women participants are successfully planting peppers and other crops.

This initiative not only enhances agricultural productivity but it also empowers women by providing them with the tools and support needed to succeed in farming.
Single mother of two, Natasha Dhanraj, 35, of Lot 81 Grant 1803 Crabwood Creek, shared her inspiring journey with this publication.
She explained that having watched her father farm since childhood, she never imagined she could have her own shade house. However, after President Ali visited their community earlier this year and recognised the need for such initiatives, everything changed.

The Shade House Project has opened doors for Natasha and many like her, empowering them to further pursue their agricultural dreams and improve their livelihoods.
Dhanraj said: “After the President come, I heard the green house sharing and I was so grateful to have one. When they started to give, I was so grateful for it.”
She explained that previously she would do small scale farming. However, the sun would often affect her crops. “Normally when I plant my stuff it does whither out with the sun and so but with the shade house it’s so much better and growing so I am very thankful for it.”

Dhanraj emphasised the significant benefits of her shade house produce, stating, “I’m planting callaloo, lettuce, and celery, and my dad plants the peppers on the farm. I go to Skeldon Market to sell to vendors, or they come to buy from me.” She added, “My dad and mom live here too, “They do their own part and I do my own part so that help me with my children them. My daughter the big one is nine years and the next one is seven so it will help me out a lot.”
She is looking forward to selling some of her lettuce at the Skeldon Market by the end of the month.

Another participant, Reshma Rampersaud, 33, from Grant 1651 Crabwood Creek, expressed her excitement about being part of the project.
She said that the NAREI staff within the region reached out to her after the project was launched and subsequently visited her to set up the shade house. “They came to set everything up, and it was done really well. I received pepper plants from them, and I started planting them, so everything is going smoothly,” she said.
These stories highlight the positive impact of the shade house project on the lives of women in the community, empowering them to enhance their livelihoods and support their families.

In May 2024, the government launched the shade house project in Crabwood Creek, Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne), to support farmers in cultivating peppers.
The initiative followed President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s visit to the community where he engaged residents on issues affecting them.
The Ministry of Agriculture was directed to assist 100 farmers in constructing shade houses, each designed to accommodate approximately 400 pepper plants.
The project was officially launched by Minister Mustapha shortly after the President’s visit. The minister had said that the projects forms part of plans to enhance Guyana’s role as the food hub for the Caribbean.

“We want to work along with the small farmers. We will give the materials for the shade house. We will help you guys to construct it, give you the designs. I believe the size will be 25 by 34,” Minister Mustapha had noted.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Guyana Chronicle was told that the shade house project is being implemented in phases. So far, 40 shade houses have been completed, with an additional 10 expected to be finished by the end of the week.

Another participant, single mother of one Ravina Arjune, of Crabwood Creek explained that her farm is located at Moleson Creek where she plants on about half an acre of land.
She stated, “The shade house is very beneficial for me because I am a single parent and it worth planting.”
She continued, “I see the benefit how it gon be because at the end of the month I will get something coming off of it and I see how it will be very beneficial to me because as a single mother, I have to take care of my child and this will now help me out.”

Gaitrie Mahadeo, 51, of Linepath, Upper Corentyne, who is also one of the participants said that she and her family are vegetarians. So, in addition to being able to sell the produce and develop an income they are also able to sustain themselves.
“We planting to upkeep our family and the pepper, we will sell because we also plant and we help people in the village because we does get the mold from them so we does try give back.”
Minister Mustapha had stated that the peppers produced through the shade house project will be processed at the Umami agro-processing facility in Black Bush Polder, which exports its products to Europe and other markets. This partnership was designed to provide a reliable market for the farmers’ peppers, ensuring that their hard work translates into sustainable income.