Rosamund Benn nee Gouveia was just 16 years old when she got married and according to her did not know “how to cook or keep house or how to do farm work”, nor was she equipped with any skills to earn a living. However, she was a quick learner, and began to farm with her husband and to take their produce to market.
By virtue of hard work, taking every opportunity to learn about agricultural production and adding value to farm produce, Benn, now 58, is an agro-processor, trading under the name Pomeroon Rose Products, and inspiring other women by her example. She pioneered the marketing of virgin coconut oil in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).
“If you know to make green seasonings that is better than others you buy, don’t tell yourself you can’t market yours. Give it a try. I have encouraged lots of women, even some who work part time with me, to get on board. You have your own coconuts, make your own coconut oil and sell it. The money you get from that can give you a push. If you stop when challenged, that is when your plant will die. Continue watering it. It will grow and one day it will bear the fruits you were looking for,” Benn said.
