Even though the Christmas holidays is one of the peak periods for Linden farmers, some will not be able to capitalize by increasing their output because of limited rainfall, seed availability and low consumer spending.
Cash crop farmer Ingrid Griffith believes that she will see increased sales this holiday season, but the low rainfall will hamper the quantity of vegetables she will have for sale. Griffith farms tomatoes, pak-choy, seasonings, ochro and bora among other cash crops. “You will get increase sales,” she reiterated for the holidays, but the “weather really shake me up,” she said. Nevertheless, Griffith has prepared the over one acre she farms in anticipation of favourable weather. One reason behind the expected sales increase pointed out by this farmer, was that the prices set by farmers in Linden and surrounding areas are more favourable than the prices of vegetables and fruits brought into the community. She also highlighted as well that the government’s grow more food campaign has also encouraged farming in the community and early in the campaign there was a glut of vegetables like bora. This Bamia and West Watooka farmer believes that two weeks of rainfall will enable her to sow her crops for the season and beyond. Without rainfall, she will have to fetch water from a nearby spring, which is currently very low due to limited rainfall. Another bottleneck has been the unavailability of fertilizer, she indicated, but with central government’s assistance in this area coupled with chicken manure this problem is being addressed.
Griffith noted that the lack of manure and rainfall had slowed up her planting and she had only crops for household use and to sell in the neighbourhood. Currently, she has taken up chicken rearing to ensure that she will have sufficient fertilizer for her crops. Griffith sells her produce around the community and says that farming has the ability to provide work for youths, and that she at times will hire some youths to work on her farm.
Another West Watooka farmer Adrian Adams says he will be increasing the quantity of crops he plants but not specifically for the holiday season. “I will increase but not for the Christmas,” noted Adams, who farms cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbages. Adams explained that for the Tropicana variety of cabbage that he normally plants, the seeds became available late, so the crop will not make it for the holidays. This variety of cabbage it was noted is more resistant to diseases. However, he is planting another variety of cabbage which he is currently reaping, that will be available for the holiday season in small quantities. He admitted that the Christmas holidays is “one of the peak periods,” but he posited that the season looks like it will be a bit slow. He was concerned that the increased number of persons without jobs in the community will affect spending and he has made this prognosis based on his observation and the sales he is now receiving. The current sales he explained are not on par with last year’s.
Adams also rears chickens, and he commented that more and more persons are delaying payments and seeking credit. He too admitted that the sparse rainfall has impacted his farm because the pond he pumps water from for irrigation is low. He will like to see a koker system in West Watooka to trap the water during the dry season and to release the water during the rainy season, to ensure better drainage and irrigation in this farming area. Agro-processor John Caesar, owner of Chanzar Enterprise, at 106 Pine Street, although confirming that “yes” this is the busiest shopping time for his business, noted too that due to a number of persons being jobless there is not much money to go around. Nevertheless, he says Lindeners returning from overseas will take back his products to North America and beyond. “This year it is not all of that good,” remarked Caesar, speaking about the start to the holiday season. Caesar also pointed out that there are no indications that the momentum is picking up. Even with the low spending currently in the domestic market, he is still optimistic about the growth prospects for his business and plans to expand.
Caesar produces processed seasonings, spices, sauces and cereals. He plants his own raw materials to ensure he controls the moisture content of the raw seasoning herbs he uses. Chanzar Enterprise is a home-grown business that began in the 1970’s and has branched out to a cottage industry.