Leroy Henry and life at the Farmers’ Market

A thoughtful Leroy Henry

A vigorous regime of trading ensues in the dead of night right here in the capital. While the city sleeps, farmers from across the country congregate on a stretch of tarmac behind the Georgetown Fire Station. They come by boat, from the far reaches of the Essequibo River and by Canter and truck from those regions that connect with the city by road. They bring their tons of produce: fruit, green vegetables and ground provision. The vendors come too, in their scores and when the two meet and begin to trade, the Farmers’ Market becomes, arguably, the largest outdoor trading space in the capital.

It is difficult to determine just how much money changes hands in the Farmers’ Market every day,