On Friday, October 27, 2023, the Sandvoort Farmers’ Association, with support from Food For the Poor (Guyana) Inc., hosted a Farmers’ Market Exhibition on the grounds of Sandvoort Primary School in West Canje, Berbice, to commemorate Agriculture Month.
The event showcased the community’s ability to contribute to regional and national food security. It provided a platform for farmers to engage with potential buyers, agricultural support agencies, and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the event was Stacy Parris, a social worker from FFTP (Guy) Inc., who stated, “At Food For the Poor (Guy) Inc., our theme is Saving Lives, Transforming Communities, Renewing Hope.” Thus, our programs and projects are intentionally designed to promote sustainable socio-economic development, capacity building, and empowerment. We have embarked on organizing and developing the capacity of farmers from rural agricultural communities because we recognize their potential for passion and eagerness to contribute to local and international food security.”
Ms. Parris explained that in recognition of Agriculture Month 2023, the Farmers Exhibition showcases investments in the rural agriculture community and associations. She noted that the investment will facilitate a sustainable transition from subsistence agriculture to a productive agricultural industry, enabling farmers to actively participate in the market economy. “Investing in our partnership with Sandvoort and the Sandvoort Farmers Association also means investing in the development of women and youth in agriculture, as this association consists of both parties,” Ms. Parris shared.
The farmers expressed their delight in hosting the Market Exhibition, as it provided them with an opportunity to showcase and sell their produce. The Chairman of the Sandvoort Farmers Association Reginald Collins, when questioned on the impact of his associations partnership with FFTP (Guy) Inc., said, “Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc. has been a source of encouragement in Sandvoort. Since, FFTP (Guy) Inc’s. intervention in Sandvoort we are not only motivated but we are a more vibrant association. This Market Exhibition that you see here, is because of FFTP (Guy) Inc. they really inspired us to move forward. I am forever grateful to them for coming to Sandvoort. We as an association look forward to working with FFTP (Guy) Inc. in the future, because we know that it will only enhance the association. May God continue to bless FFTP (Guy) Inc.”
Sandvoort is traditionally an agricultural community. Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, nearly 70% of the households still rely on farming activities as their primary and secondary sources of income. In recent years, farmers have diversified their agricultural practices by incorporating non-traditional activities. These activities include the rearing of quail for eggs and meat, beekeeping, the cultivation of high-value crops like lettuce and broccoli, and the manufacturing of value-added products such as scented candles, soap, facial and body scrubs, as well as coconut and crab oils.
Food For the Poor (Guyana) Inc. is collaborating with farmers in the community to enhance their capacity for comprehensive and sustainable development. In the last six months, FFTP (Guyana) Inc. has been conducting a series of capacity development training sessions with farmers from Sandvoort Village, West Canje Berbice Region 6, as part of our community development initiative. The objective of these sessions is to organize the farmers into a registered Farmers’ Association. Thus far, with the support of the organization, 40 farmers have organized themselves into a group and elected an executive committee. They have also developed a constitution, mission statement, and vision statement, and are in the process of legally registering the association.
Food For the Poor (Guyana) Inc. support for the farmers at Sandvoort ties into United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #2 – “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.” Over the years, the organization has been making significant contributions to agriculture and supports the government’s agenda of developing the agriculture sector and promoting national food security.
