AS the traditional festive season fast approaches and the demand for eggs and other protein sources steadily increases across the country, the quiet community of Silver Hill, located along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, is quickly transforming itself — not only socially but also in its agricultural production systems.

Once known primarily for its vast pineapple farms, Silver Hill is now embracing diversification, with many residents shifting towards poultry and small livestock production.

Among those leading this transformation is Jennifer Lord, a resilient, soft-spoken, petite female farmer who embodies the spirit of adaptation, innovation, and perseverance in Guyana’s evolving rural landscape.

Lord, a seasoned farmer with more than a decade of experience, began her agricultural journey cultivating pineapples on a large scale.

However, as yields declined over time, she diversified her operations into duck and creole chicken rearing—a move that not only sustained her livelihood but also positioned her to meet the growing market demand during the festive season.

“Pineapple is still part of what I do,” she explained. “But the crops are not as they used to be, and I had to turn to poultry to sustain myself.”

Her modest farm in the heart of Silver Hill is alive with activity. About 100 ducks waddle around the yard, while an equal number of creole chickens roam freely — a system that reflects both her resourcefulness and deep understanding of traditional farming methods. Although she once maintained a larger operation, Lord was forced to scale back due to financial constraints. Yet she remains hopeful. “When I can recover financially, I’ll restart my large-scale duck-rearing business,” she said with quiet determination.

Life in Silver Hill — A testament of endurance

Living deep within Silver Hill means living off the grid. Residents rely primarily on rainwater harvesting and natural creeks for their daily water needs, as the area lacks a piped potable water supply throughout the community — a situation that is rapidly changing.

The PPP/C Government, through Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), continues to work across the community to ensure that each household has access to safe drinking water. As part of these ongoing efforts, 159 water tanks, each with a 450-gallon capacity, have been distributed to residents who depend on rainwater collection and storage.

Such initiatives are crucial for improving living conditions in Silver Hill — a community defined by self-reliance, co-operation, and agricultural resilience. “We depend on each other here,” Lord shared. “If I have extra eggs or birds, I exchange with another farmer. It’s normal for us.”

This exchange system not only strengthens community ties but also ensures the diversity of their poultry gene pool, keeping local breeds strong and adaptable.

Lord’s approach to farming is a blend of traditional knowledge and practical innovation. When her chickens fall ill, she relies on homemade remedies rather than costly veterinary drugs. “I mix a little molasses in their water — they recover fast,” she said. “Sometimes I add lime juice and bird pepper too. It keeps them healthy.”

On her farm, the birds roam freely, pecking at the earth and feeding naturally on insects and vegetation. Without formal pens, her operation is largely free-range—a system that aligns perfectly with her environment and resources.

Free-range farming allows birds to move about freely outdoors, providing them with sunlight, fresh air, and access to natural food sources. This system is less costly than intensive farming, which requires housing, artificial lighting, and expensive feed. For small-scale farmers like Lord, it is a more economically viable model that also supports animal welfare and sustainability.

Lord explained that her free-range system not only produces healthier birds but also benefits her environment. “The chickens help add fertility to the soil,” she said. “Their droppings enrich the ground, and the scratching helps aerate it. It creates a healthy ecosystem right here in my yard.”

Free-range eggs are valued for their richer flavour, vibrant yolks, and natural taste — qualities that appeal to Guyanese consumers who are increasingly conscious of food quality.

As the festive season approaches, the demand for eggs — especially creole and free-range — has surged in Linden (Region 10) and neighbouring areas.

“There’s no struggle for market,” Lord said with a smile. “My eggs and ducks sell easily — everything goes.”

She retails a tray of free-range creole eggs for $2,000, a price she has maintained throughout the year.

Remarkably, she has never encountered resistance to her prices. “People know my eggs are always fresh and wholesome,” she said proudly. “Even though demand has gone up, I have no desire to increase the price. What pleases me most is delivering quality, healthy products to my customers.”

For Lord, customer satisfaction and service are the heart of her business. She believes that trust, reliability, and consistency have been the key factors in maintaining her products at premium market prices. She also places strong emphasis on food safety, ensuring that her eggs are properly stored and distributed to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. “Storage and handling are just as important as production,” she explained. “That’s part of good farming too.”

For generations, Guyanese families have reared creole chickens as part of homestead farming — a practice that has long provided food and supplemental income. These hardy birds, known for their adaptability and rich-tasting eggs, continue to hold a special place in rural households.

Lord preserves this tradition by using natural nesting and incubation methods, allowing hens to hatch their chicks under straw and wooden boxes — a reminder of how farming used to be across the country. Her methods reflect the enduring connection between culture, self-sufficiency, and food production in rural Guyana.

To further strengthen poultry production nationwide, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), has launched several initiatives to empower small farmers and boost food security.

During a recent outreach to Silver Hill, the Minister of Agriculture fulfilled a promise to the community by donating 100 broiler chicks to Lord — a gesture that reignited her enthusiasm. The GLDA also distributed the “Black Giant” breed of chickens, a hardy, dual-purpose bird suited for both meat and egg production.

More than 63,000 of these birds have been distributed across the country, with Silver Hill farmers among the beneficiaries. Additionally, the government provided a new tractor to enhance farming productivity and improve access to remote plots.

As Christmas draws near, the hum of activity in Silver Hill grows stronger — ducks quacking, chickens scratching, and farmers like Jennifer Lord preparing for one of the busiest times of the year. Her free-range eggs and fresh ducks will reach markets in Linden and nearby communities, helping meet festive demand while sustaining her livelihood.

For Lord, her free-range production system is not only practical but purposeful — it keeps her birds healthy, adds natural fertility to the soil, and helps maintain a balanced ecosystem on her farm. She takes pride not only in what she produces but also in the relationships she has built with her customers — relationships grounded in trust, reliability, and quality.

Farming, for her, is more than work; it is a way of life deeply rooted in tradition, community, and care for the environment. In her own quiet way, Jennifer Lord embodies the resilience of Guyana’s small farmers — people who continue to nurture their communities, safeguard tradition, and feed a growing nation, one egg, one bird, and one season at a time.