Producing Passion in Exuma

By Kendea Smith Photographs courtesy of Kendea Smith

With unforeseen circumstances threatening food security around the world, the government of The Bahamas is seeking to place more emphasis on food security throughout the archipelago. In Exuma, two farmers are looking to play their part in developing the agriculture sector on that island.

Ricardo Munroe, proprietor of All things Bees Sanctuary, decided that he was going to assist by bringing foreign bees to the island in 2016.

“The queen bees came from Hawaii and the worker bees came out of Savannah, Georgia. Exuma just didn’t have any honeybees and we wanted to see what the bees would do,” he said. “They were good for the farm. The bees also produce honey and beeswax and so it was just a perfect fit. When I was introduced to bees, it was like love at first sight.”

“It was not about just the money for me. It was the passion for it and what it does for the environment, and it helps us to grow more food. I wanted to play my small part in helping to feed the country and give The Bahamas an excellent product.”

What started as four beehives has now turned into hundreds across several properties. He also exports his products to New Providence.

He explained that the honey from Exuma is different because of the environment.

“All regions of The Bahamas would have a slightly different honey taste because of the vegetation growing in the immediate area of the bees. In Exuma, we have different tastes at different times of the year. In the early part of the year, you would taste log wood. And in the winter, you can get a hint of coconut and coco plums,” Munroe said.

Munroe is passionate about food on his 2.5-acre farm. He grows bell peppers, habanero peppers, onions, guavas, peas, basil, bananas and much more.

He also has a small-layer hen coup that produces organic eggs.

“When we look at what’s been happening in the world, it just makes sense to grow as much as you can,” Munroe said. “Going back 50 years, pretty much most families had a backyard farm or field with chickens, pigs and goats to feed themselves. They were eating healthy and living longer. So, growing chickens and all these other things make sense because it works and it’s proven,” Munroe said. Onions A swarm of bees

Banana Tree Grove

Franklyn McKenzie of Triple E nursery and farm has also sought to assist with food security at his farm in Curtis, Exuma.

He also has an array of crops like arugula, bananas, cabbages, cassava, carrots, kale, lettuce, okra, peas, sapodillas, tomatoes and much more.

McKenzie said his inspiration came from watching his grandparents work on the land.

“My grandparents cultivated the land, and my siblings and I had to take stones and bring back rocks and soil. My father said, ‘Do not let it go down.’ I listened to that because I know what farming means to me and to my country,” he said. “Farming is critical. You have to eat and once you have it available in your nation, you have a better chance of surviving than importing it from the outside,” he said.

McKenzie said he has been working with his employee Albert for the last six years.

“Each year, we have learnt something new. I take it seriously. Farming is dear to me and as long as I can do it, I will,” he said.

“The greenhouse has assisted me greatly in planting my microgreens. And I am so happy that many of the boaters and locals come and buy the products. I am also trying to find ways to use some of the items that I have been blessed with in other ways like by bottling tomatoes and making a way to use and sell the products.”

Both Munroe and McKenzie say they are hoping more young people would become more interested in farming.

While McKenzie is a senior farmer, he is dedicated to trying new techniques and has installed a greenhouse on his property to assist with food production. UA

Corn

Broccolli Franklyn McKenzie of Triple E Nursery

Tomatoes

Basil Red Cabbage