Despite the meagre inputs of government into farming and the many challenges facing it, the farmers of Trinidad and Tobago continues to produce fresh vegetables to feed the nation.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Gowtam Maharaj and John, two farmers in the Barrackpore district, south Trinidad and they shared with me their hopes and challenges being a farmer today. Gowtam took to farming after the Pointe a Pierre oil refinery was closed by the government a few years ago. With a background in agriculture Gowtam turned to farming and he is quite good at it. With the assistance of two full time Venezuelan immigrants, Gowtan produces crops such as cucumbers, pimentos, baigan, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
In the first two years Gowtan wholesaled most of his produce but today has acquired a stall at the Debe Market where he retails his goods on a Thursday.
John, 69, has been a farmer since age 14. It is the only profession he has practiced. John plants vegetables and rears livestock. He is proud that his children, though employed outside the home, are also involved in the farming.
“Larceny is the main problem farmers face,” said John. He feels that the police should have been more responsive when cases of larceny are brought to their attention.
Gowtam Is also a community activists and work closely with the youths and children to help them develop human values. He is also involved with the Bal Vihar program for youths in the Barrackpore district in addition to motivating the youths to stand up and take responsibility.
Empowering people in the main trust of Gowtam’s work. He recounted his inputs to “teach a man to fish” that was a success story and when he was down, the said individual returned the favour.
A former alderman in the Penal Regional Corporation, Gowtam has opted to work selflessly for the uplift of the community. On Tuesday April 18 Gowtam will the host of a Hindu worker from Canada. “It would be an opportunity for the people of Barrackpore to meet and interact with him.”
Gowtam is currently engaged in planning a Yatra with the Chinmaya Mission to the mountain in Valencia on Sunday April 30 where a mandir has been erected and a deity or murti would be invoked and installed.
The enthusiasm of Gowtam to serve the community is incomparable. He is a shining star in our community for others to emulate if we wish to have a strong and dynamic nation.