From Long Creek to …

FROM PAGE VIII lent and he cannot turn away anyone in need and often, he would give his produce to the people in his community.

Budhan is originally from Coverden, East Bank Demerara. He relocated to Laluni, also on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and later settled in Long Creek where he had a 150-acre model farm, one of the cleanest and well-cultivated.

At Budhan’s farm, it is indeed a paradise. The well-maintained grounds are appealing to the eyes and the place is huge.

He also has his house on his farm and resides with his wife and two sons, one of whom has his own farmhouse and assists him in selling the produce at the market.

“Next year, time like this, I would like to have 60 more acres of cultivation with 50 acres alone for coconuts alone and 10 acres of papaya, so I am working towards that,” Budhan said.

He explained that his papaya is a rare variety from Israel and one of the sweetest with little to no seeds. He admitted that when it first went to the market, people were hesitant to buy it.

Today, it would sell like hot cakes and Budhan is of the view that he needs 40 acres more of the fruit since the demand is great.

Budhan related that for him to have a high production level and to keep his farm viable, he needs a loan to boost his drainage and irrigation network, pump lines and an excavator for the swamp canals.

The farmer noted that he converted to Islam 15 years ago and since then everything has been in his favour.

Budhan is an organic farmer who uses chicken mould for his crops and at 70 years old, he eats whatever is grown on his farm, a diet of ground provisions and fruits.