Home gardening: a safety net and nightmare in 2020

THE emergence of the novel coronavirus in December 2019 brought hunger to the doorsteps of millions globally and in Guyana, scores of persons, particularly entrepreneurs, have suffered losses of income, with many pursuing the creation of kitchen gardens as a cushion to ensure food security. Even though home-gardening has proved to be a safety net for many families, it has also been a nightmare for some others, especially those who were attempting gardening for the first time. “People usually think that farming is easy, but in reality, it is not that simple,” Agronomist, Aditya Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle. He explained that in an attempt to ensure food security, many persons have invested significantly in preparing home gardens that only reaped frustrations instead of fruits.

“Some persons were just spending, and unfortunately, their gardens were nothing but a waste of time and money; it increased their frustrations instead of easing it,” Persaud noted. Unfortunately, the advent of a new strain of the coronavirus means that the world will also be entering 2021 with much uncertainty, and even though Guyanese are encouraged to maintain their gardens, Persaud lamented the importance of planting properly. “Do not jump into it without being properly informed,” he insisted. Persaud believes that persons should consult an “agro-doctor” before they begin their journey of planting their own food. “If you have access to an agronomist, or a successful farmer, consult them first. Know what you’re getting into, before you get into it,” Persaud said.

FARMER’S MANUAL
For persons who may not have access to any agro-whizzes, the Ministry of Agriculture has created a comprehensive Farmer’s Manual which is currently available on the Ministry’s website – http://agriculture.gov.gy/farmers-manual/ . The document, which was crafted more than 10 years ago, contains guidelines and tips for planting some of the most common fruits and vegetables available in Guyana. “It provides good advice on how to plant over 30 different crops,” Persaud specified.

In addition to soil types, seeds and techniques, the manual also provides detailed information and advice with regard to various pests and diseases that may affect crops. Meanwhile, Persaud stressed on the importance for persons to be cognisant of the fact that planting is not just about soil types, seeds and techniques.

He explained that even though persons may follow the guidelines set out in the farmer’s manual, the success of their gardens rely heavily on their moods and emotions when planting. “It is also about the energy that people give off,” Persaud asserted. He added, “Plants can sense when a person is angry or frustrated or generally in a bad mood, so when you go about your gardening with negativity, you get negative results,” Persaud noted. He maintained that with gardening, patience is the name of the game.

FOOD SECURITY

When COVID-19 first hit, many Guyanese feared a shortage of food, mainly owing to what was being reflected internationally. An article from the New York Post stated that the coronavirus pandemic has brought hunger to millions of people around the world, with national lockdowns and social-distancing measures “drying up” work and incomes, and disrupting agricultural production and supply routes. The article cited examples of chaos occurring during the distribution of food supplies to depressed communities, most notably in Kenya and India.

The article highlighted too, the situation in Colombia, where poor households were hanging red clothing and flags from their windows and balconies to indicate their hunger. The New York Post said experts have determined that the world has never faced a hunger emergency like this. In Guyana, Director of the National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI), Dr. Odhu Homenauth, has confirmed that Guyana is safe and that Guyanese will not go hungry.

During a previous interview with this publication, Homenauth said that Guyana will be able to “weather the storm.” According to the Director, NAREI has been monitoring the local production of fruits and vegetables and has detected no decline. Even though enough food is available locally, the pandemic had put a damper on the exportation of some commodities, especially those that require air-transport. Nonetheless, with the reopening of the airports, this situation is likely to soon improve.