The farmers

The Shiriki volunteers have been communicating, observing and interacting with the local farmers in the area. Early observations show that the situation for the farmers is grim. Farming practices are reminiscent of colonialist inequality. The farmers are growing genetically modified bananas, cucumbers and french beans, all for commercial sales. The bananas and cucumbers are sold for pennies to brokers who hike the price and transport the produce to the market where they receive hefty profits from their manufactured mark-ups. The French beans are sold directly to foreign companies for export, again, for pennies. In addition, in order to minimize labour, the farmers need to chemically spray their crops to deter pests and weeds. It is a common sight to see farmers wearing yellow alien suits as they spray harmful chemicals onto their hard earned crops degrading the soil and poisoning the eco-system.

The farmers have an air of hopelessness to them, and seem to have accepted their fate as low paid labourers barely able to provide for their families. The Shiriki volunteers have begun to talk to them about subsistence farming, indigenous crops, and organically grown produce. The farmers are curious to see what initiatives the Shiriki volunteers come up with and while they are not yet ready to change their routine, they are eager to hear about other potential uses of the land.