Despite the occasional drizzle, many patrons turned out to the Mangrove Reserve Women Producers’ (MRWP) first farmers’ market at the Mangrove Visitor Centre at Cove and John on Sunday.
The MRWP is a recent mobilisation of women by the Guyana Mangrove Restora-tion Project, forming part of its alternative livelihoods component. The Project is funded by the government and the European Union.
In a press release, the project said several women’s groups had items for sale at the inaugural ‘Market Under the Trees’ event, such as cassava bread, coconut and salt fish quinces, coconut biscuits, mangrove honey as well as local drinks such as soursop, pineapple, sugarcane and water coconuts, mauby, jamoon and eggplant wine. There were also condiments such as dried thyme, peppers, including lime pepper, mango, sourie and tamarind achar available for sale.
Patrons were also treated to steel band music, courtesy of the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra, the youth arm of the Mangrove Committee of Buxton, the release said.
At intervals, Chairperson of the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project Annette Arjoon-Martins told visitors about the role of mangroves in sea defence and briefed them on the objectives of the project within the context of climate change.
She also heaped praised on sponsors Digicel, in supporting the efforts to host the market on the last day of Agriculture Month. Arjoon-Martins said although the rain had affected attendance, she is sure that those persons who participated enjoyed their visit as they reacted positively to products for sale.
