How one passionate resident is helping fellow Silver Hill farmers rise together

AS the soft rays of sunlight and the fresh smell of secondary forest fill the misty morning air along the Linden–Soesdyke Highway, the quiet farming community of Silver Hill is awakening to a new era of agricultural productivity, unity, and empowerment.

Nestled amid lush vegetation, sandy soils, and winding creeks, Silver Hill may appear unassuming at first glance, but its residents are steadily transforming the area into a vibrant agricultural hub.

The community is home to resilient farmers who cultivate poultry, small ruminants, and cattle, as well as a variety of crops, all while navigating the challenges of sandy, porous soil and limited water sources.

At the forefront of this transformation is Amanda Corlette, a resilient and innovative poultry farmer whose roots in agriculture stretch back to her childhood in Kwakwani, Berbice River.

Amanda, now the Vice Chair of the Silver Hill Agriculture Development Group, has become a driving force behind the community’s progress, inspiring dozens of small farmers — especially women — to believe in the power of collaboration.

Her journey from a young girl tending animals with her parents to becoming a key advocate for community farming showcases the strength of perseverance, vision, and teamwork.

“I grew up in Kwakwani, where my parents were farmers, so agriculture has always been part of me,” she said. “When I came to Silver Hill, it reminded me of home — the peaceful environment, the people’s love for farming — and I decided to invest in poultry farming. It’s something I know and love.”

Amanda believes that community farming groups like the Silver Hill Agriculture Development Group hold the key to rural development and resilience.

By working together, small farmers can access training, resources, and government support more effectively, while also sharing knowledge on best practices for managing the sandy, sometimes unforgiving soil.

“Groups like ours help farmers improve their production systems, gain better access to training, and benefit from government and stakeholder support,” Amanda explained. “We are stronger together. Because of our unity, we can negotiate better, receive assistance, and share ideas to improve our farms.”

Silver Hill’s 44 registered farmers actively collaborate in poultry, small ruminant, and cattle production, as well as crop cultivation.

Many residents rely on rainwater harvesting and natural creek sources for irrigation, making the introduction of climate-smart agriculture practices critical. Farmers have been adopting methods such as shade houses and soil conservation techniques to protect their crops from harsh weather and maximise yields.

Corlette and her peers have expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Guyana, particularly Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, for their direct involvement in Silver Hill’s development.

The community has benefitted from two rounds of poultry distribution by the Ministry of Agriculture through GLDA, which has allowed farmers to generate much-needed income and expand their production systems. “Those distributions were a big boost for us,” Amanda said. “They helped many farmers restart or grow their operations and provided income to reinvest in our farms.”

Earlier in 2025, Minister McCoy also delivered 159 black tanks, each with a 450-gallon capacity, to ease water scarcity in the community, and announced plans to introduce electricity, which promises to enhance productivity further. “The government has been doing a good job at Silver Hill in providing water and equipment to sustain farming,” Corlette said. “We even have a community tractor now, which has been a big help.”

Farmers have also received support through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Presidential Grants, enabling expansion into small ruminant and cattle rearing, as well as crop cultivation. “The LCDS fund and Presidential Grants have been a blessing,” Amanda emphasised. “They’ve enabled women and single mothers to start their own farms and earn a living for their families. Many of us are now self-employed because of these initiatives.”

Collaboration with agencies such as GLDA and NAREI has allowed Silver Hill farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices tailored to the community’s unique soil and water challenges. The training emphasises efficient water use, soil management, crop diversification, and resilient farming systems — essential in an area where soils are porous and natural water sources are limited.

Recently, farmers participated in a dragon fruit planting exercise hosted by NAREI’s Kairuni branch to introduce high-value crops and diversify production. The training also included shade house technology, enabling year-round production and protection against erratic weather.

“Even though poultry production continues to be our main source of income, we are exploring shade house farming,” Amanda shared. “The training from NAREI is very helpful, especially with the changing weather patterns. We are learning how to adapt and use technology to improve our yields.”

Amanda also praised GLDA’s extension officers for their frequent visits and technical support. “So far, our relationship with GLDA is excellent,” she said. “Dr Nauth, Mr Bhagwandin and Hercules, Dr Walrond and team from Head Office, they’ve always been there for us — offering advice, guidance, and practical solutions when challenges arise.”

She highlighted the importance of climate-smart initiatives, noting that Silver Hill’s soil requires careful management. “As farmers, we rely on creeks and rainwater harvesting, and the soil can be unforgiving if not cared for properly,” she said. “That’s why climate-smart agriculture is an excellent initiative, and we are forever grateful to Dr Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C Government for their support.”

While grateful for government interventions, Amanda is advocating for additional training in business development and financial management, so farmers’ groups like hers can remain sustainable.

“We are growing in production and knowledge, but we also need to grow in business,” she noted. “I would love to see more training on management and entrepreneurship so that our group can be financially healthy, make better marketing decisions, and negotiate better prices. This will ensure our long-term survival.”

She acknowledged that, despite progress, a lack of prudent business management skills still presents challenges. “We’re learning as we go,” she admitted. “But with continued support and the right training, we will overcome these hurdles.”

Amanda describes Silver Hill as a “sleeping agricultural giant” that is now being awakened through targeted government support. The area, long known as one of Region 10’s largest poultry-producing zones, is seeing its potential realised through improved infrastructure, training, and community co-operation.

“The transformation we’re seeing is remarkable,” she said proudly. “With the government’s support, the help from GLDA and NAREI, and our own community spirit, Silver Hill is changing. We are producing more, learning more, and helping each other grow.”

For Amanda, farming is not just about raising chickens or growing crops — it’s about building a future for her community. Through her leadership and advocacy, she continues to inspire fellow farmers to embrace innovation, unity, and sustainability.

“Our journey shows that when communities come together, supported by good leadership and government initiatives, great things happen,” Amanda reflected. “We are grateful for the opportunities and determined to make Silver Hill a model of agricultural success for all of Region 10 and beyond.”