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Feb 19, 2018 News
Life in Little Biaboo, a rural farming community in Mahaica Creek, is simple. Rice and other crops such as plantains, bora, watermelon and coconut are the main crops grown there. Almost, every member of the household, particularly the womenfolk, contributes to the agriculture value chain. This has been so for generations without notice.
In fact, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in a 2013 report on GENDER EQUALITY AND FOOD SECURITY Women’s Empowerment as a Tool against Hunger, highlighted how women’s role in agriculture is undervalued and constrained owing to limited access to resources. The FAO believes that women play a crucial role in agriculture from farm production to food preparation and distribution in the household.
Twenty-seven-year-old, Pulmattie ‘Shivannie’Bisnauth, is one such woman, who is integrally involved in her family’s business- farming. Eleven years ago,Shivannie got married to a farmer- Lenny Udai. Still in the honeymoon period, Shivannie commenced her career as a farmer. Like a true Guyanese woman of strength, Shivannie has embraced her many hats as wife, mother, daughter-in-law, farmer and vendor with glee.
Way before the crack of dawn, Shivannie is up bustling about the kitchen to ensure her family is prepared to face the day. A lunch pack is prepared for her eight-year-old son, who attends school close to home. And, breakfast is placed on the dining table for Lenny by quarter to five. After breakfast, Shivannie and her husband journey to their 10-acre farm.
“When we leave home it is dark so by the time we walk to the farm the sky clears…We start the day by picking our crops…We intercrop plantains, watermelon, bora and a small amount of rice…So picking bora is sometimes the first thing we do on the farm every morning,” a giggly Shivannie said, clearly shy about being interviewed.
At first glance, Shivannie looks incapable of being a farmer with her small frame. But, nothing is too big for her to handle. Shivannie can operate any farm equipment including the tractor. In fact, this is one of her main tasks on the farm. She drives the tractor so that Lenny could place sticks for bora. Plus he loads the trailer with crops which she moves from the farm. This is her favourite task.
“I feel good driving the tractor…it is empowering…I never thought I could handle it but now I can drive anything…I also drive our pickup…this makes it easy on Lenny who has so many things to do,” she said.
“I like driving the tractor more than picking bora…when you picking bora sometimes small snakes would be on the vines…and I’m terrified of snakes…Sometimes for fun just to see me run and scream. Lenny does tease me with the snakes.”
Minus the snakes, it was the opportunity for bonding with her love that resulted in Shivannie first visiting the farm. As a young bride, she wasn’t fond of the idea of being home while her husband was working in the blistering sun.
Depending on the tasks to be accomplished, Lenny sometimes hires labourers. But, most times Shivannie is the only farmhand. Overtime, she had learnt about crop cycles and the various farming techniques. Some of her most important lessons were taught by the Extension Officers of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NAREI). Besides routine visits, NAREI sometimes utilizes their farmland as demonstration plots. Always eager to learn, she is usually involved in these projects.
These projects have introduced Lenny and Shivannie to different varieties of crops and good agricultural practices. As such, once good farming conditions exist, crops of good quality are produced on their farm. The crops are sold on Saturdays at the Mahaica Market. Here too, Shivannie is integrally involved.
“We wake early every Saturday morning to load up…It takes a good time to get all the stocks in the vehicle…I look forward going to the market to sell…I love selling…this is why we work so hard…It is a very empowering feeling to assist my husband in everything we do,” Shivannie said smiling.
After a long day at the farm, Shivannie has to strike a balance between household chores and teaching her son. Sometimes her husband and father-in-law assist in this area, allowing her to take a break from being superwoman. But, spending time with their child is the highlight of her day.
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