Some vendors operating at the Cheapside Market in Bridgetown say they are gearing up for the hurricane season, which officially began Monday, as well as the impacts of climate change.
Dan Paul, who also grows his own produce, spoke of the many challenges he faces as a farmer during this time of year.
“We can’t go against nature, but I’m preparing for the hurricane season by building my beds high so that when the rain comes, the water can drain away quickly. Even if the weather is rough, you can still get a little something,” he said.
Paul said the rainy season often brings both risk and opportunity, but no matter how little he is able to plant and salvage, a little goes a long way and helps to balance things out.
“I use the seeds from my own crops. So the seeds I save are already used to this climate, so that when I plant them again, they produce better and therefore I don’t have to buy the expensive imported ones,” he added.
The father of eight, who grew up on a farm in Guyana, told the DAILY NATION that despite rising costs, he is keeping his prices low.
“Production has dropped more than 50 per cent. Everything has gone up — seed prices, supplies. People can’t afford to pay more, so I sell at what they can manage. So, for example, I sell my cucumbers for $1, even though others sell theirs for $2 or more. Because I grow them myself, I do it for the poor people. Everybody is going through struggles right now, so we got to help each other if we ourselves are
going to make it,” he said.
Vendor of five years, Loretta Lynch, said it was important for vendors to prepare for the hurricane season.
“If there is a hurricane coming, we normally go and gather our produce in the early, and then secure them and put them inside the market. We have places where we store the produce – cold storage for the chickens, etcetera. Then the tents, they have to come down because hurricanes are a rocker. So, it is very important to prepare for the season, as we would have witnessed the damage done to the other islands,” she said.
Another vendor, known as ‘Bentley’, said that due to climate change and hotter days, he has had to change the type of produce he sells.
“As vendors, we have to be able to adjust to suit. For example, I used to sell tomatoes, broccoli and sweet peppers before, but I stopped because they are not tolerable in the hot conditions we experience today and break down easily. So instead I opt for selling other produce like eggplants and so on,” he said.
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