Community feeding project continues at West Ruimveldt
A nonprofit youth organisation on Saturday afternoon embarked on its second seed planting exercise which is a part of an initiative to support and feed their community. Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) which operates out of the David Rose Centre in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, began planting organic vegetables with the help of residents and the Guyana School of Agriculture just a few months ago.
The vegetable planting is a part of a ‘co-op garden’ that the organisation
GSA representative Osbert Nurse planting the first vegetable in the second batch
introduced in order to assist residents of the West Ruimveldt community with their food production. The participants have not only been able to plant and harvest their own vegetables but they have also been instructed on best practices they should utilise when farming.
Executive Director of (YCG) Demetri Nicholson explained the thought behind continuing the initiative with a second batch of vegetables, “We’ve seen the amount that just a small plot has been able to produce, and the community said we should continue,” he stated. Nicholson also touched on the Guyana School of Agriculture’s involvement in the project. He explained that they have provided technical support, which has come in the form of an instructor. Osbert Nurse has been working along with residents, teaching skills and best practices and ensuring that the crop production goes well. The young man is also there to provide solution and cures for any infections that may arise to threaten the crops.
Guyana Times spoke with one resident who was enthusiastic about the work he is involved in. Moses, of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, noted that the initiative was beneficial to him since he wishes to become a farmer. The young man expressed gratitude at being able to learn what he should and shouldn’t do. Another resident, Pauline Yard, said she was happy to be a part of the project and said she was happy to harvest the fruits of her labour.
To date, there are a number of flourishing vegetable plants which sit in the compound of the David Rose Centre; these include bora, calalloo and ochra. This second batch of vegetables will include eggplant (baigan) and tomatoes along with those vegetables that were planted before.
