HOW OWEN DESOUZA OUTWITTED THE ACOURI

Oct 22, 2018 News

– and became a successful coconut farmer

By Enid Joaquin

Prolific Linden farmer Owen DeSouza has certainly come a long way from the days when he waged a daily battle with agouti (acouri, a type of rodent), which were eating out his crops.
These days, DeSouza is optimistic that he has finally outwitted his four legged tormentors.
Our successful farmer finally recognized that there are crops that the animals aren’t particularly fond of, and so he is focusing on those.

Owen DeSouza

But his favourite and most abundant produce presently, are coconuts, and he may have to thank his four-legged tormentors for helping him to turn to this lucrative venture.
From this crop, DeSouza manufactures myriad items, including coconut oil and a variety of hair and beauty products. So enthused is DeSouza with his new venture, that he proudly asserts, “Coconut is our future!”

Value Added
Heeding President Granger’s
call for “value added” products and agro-processing a few years ago, DeSouza is today one of Linden’s most prolific and successful agro-processors.
Recognized for the invaluable work that he is doing, this Linden entrepreneur was recently invited to represent Region Ten, at the Week of Agriculture in Barbados.
DeSouza was high in praise of CARDI and NAREI for the opportunity.
“It was very informative and I learnt so much.”
According to DeSouza, there are presently plans to focus on coconut production for the European market.
“There were a lot of delegates from around the world who recognise that coconut is the most profitable fruit in the world right now, and so there is great interest in its cultivation,” DeSouza said.
The theme of the event was “Resuscitating the coconut industry.”
Reflecting on his own “love affair” with the humble coconut, DeSouza declared: “Coconut is in my genes, and so I’m not going to give up on it.
“But I really wish to see more farmers in Region Ten, and by extension Guyana, get involved in agro-processing, not necessarily coconut, but any other produce.”

Sections of De Souza’s farm

His advice however, is that persons should first focus on producing their own raw materials as a way of cutting down on cost.
DeSouza of course, has taken his own advice, because over the years, he has created a veritable oasis of coconut trees in the valley below his home, at Block 22, Wismar.
He proudly calls this place,” DeSouza Estates.”