After finding unexpected success with growing grapes locally, farmer Devon Gilead has met unexpected devastation with his losses amounting to over $10m due to drought and destruction of vines by cows.
Gilead, a bee keeper. of Glasgow New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, is known throughout the ancient county as the ‘Grape Boss’ due to his success with growing the fruit locally in the face of much doubt.
Next to his house, Gilead was starting a grapes farm with government assisting with the land. However, unexpectedly he said cows have continuously invaded his land destroyed and his vines – a matter he has received no justice for.
“The sucker plant them bite up, all the vines and so and when I go police the police say I got to catch them or get the brand number and every time them a come in.”
However, he said that in addition to this several months ago his grapes were affected by the drought. The two together have caused him over $10m in losses, he reported.
Additionally, he said, someone had started a fire next to his farm affecting his grapes as well. He was unsure who but noted that he has had repeated issues with the owners of the cows.
But for Gilead, giving up is not an option as such he stressed that presently he is setting back his grape vines.
He said that the government has assisted tremendously with cleaning of canals nearby so as to ensure he is not affected and he will be investing in solar CCTV cameras with proper lighting so that he can keep a closer eye on his land.
“I feel disappointed but I am not giving up”, he stressed in an interview with the Sunday Stabroek.
He continued, “The government excavator dig out all the canals so I’m
getting water now so even if there is a drought again I will get water. I am thankful for that. In the future if I go through that situation I will get easier access to water.”
He noted that the authorities, “need to get a stern talk with the cow people. Them cows really destroy my plants and left me bankrupt.”
Burnham time
“But I have to cope with it, I know struggle, I born Burnham time and I know the struggle is real. I am disappointed. I know everyone was expecting the grapes to kick off and nothing but my money gone down the drain and I get no satisfaction.”
However, like any other farmer, Gilead had planted a variety of things as such presently he has reaped orange watermelon. “I had to plant other things to generate money to turn around back the business.”
He said, from the grape vine in his yard he was able to source some grapes to make wine which he currently has for sale.
“Right now I get watermelon and corilla and grape wine available. I am planting back right now basically.”
Touching on the fire, he said, it seems someone walked on the dam and started a fire which quickly spread affecting his farm and “burn out all the apple plant.”
“Bare disaster. One to the next, you got to get faith, you got to be determined. There will be trial and tribulations and people na like see you progress. Them in the corner waiting to destroy you but you got to be focused and push forward your dream.”
Gilead had invested over $8 million into his dream over a three-year period. He was hoping to convert his field of grapes into a massive business with his dream of one day starting a major tourist hub – creating numerous byproducts and opening a vineyard “so people can come and sample the grapes, the wine and everything.”
He was also hoping to grow his own flowers and roses and create a massive flower wall for pictures and hosting events. “Ten years from now I want to employ a lot of staff and supply this entire country with grapes and I gone teach young people”, he had said.
He said he was aware that he alone might not be able to plant to supply grapes to Guyana and so he wanted to teach youths in agriculture how to grow the grapes so that the amount needed for the country can eventually be produced.
However, with the devastation he has suffered his dreams have been put on the back burner as now he works to recover his losses.
