Planting Guyana for a healthy lifestyle

After residing in the United States for more than 20 years, farmer Dalven Adams has returned to his homeland, Guyana, to pursue his passion for cooking with farm fresh produce from the land his family has tilled for more than 30 years.

And now that he gets to spend his daily life among the rich vegetation at the Adams Farm in Mocha, a secluded village on the East Bank coastland, Adams wants to make a difference in the lives of many who suffer from ailments such as diabetes and hypertension.

The 30-acre farmland is rich in eggplant, bok choy, cabbage, pumpkin, and herbs such as basil, thyme and lemons. He plans to grow sage, a popular American herb while promoting a healthy lifestyle through his organic farmland.

The Renaissance man who says cooking intrigues him, remembers as a child, going to the marketplace with his mother every Friday, and watching as vendors rush to purchase cassava and plantain from the family farm.

This is what Adams, who maintains his collision/auto body management consultant business in the U.S., wants to recapture, his passion for additive-free cooking for good nourishment.

“During one of my visits to Guyana, my uncle encouraged me to return to help him,” added Adams, who plans to expand the second family farm located in the Rock Stone Linden area, to include a resort with fishing and hiking.

Adams said the farm which also produces fruits, such as cherry, guava and passion fruit, will meet the demand of vendors in Georgetown markets.

“I am working with chefs also to change the way cooks put food on the table,” said the multi-talented Adams, whose photos and videos of his cuisine, pickles, baked goods, and farm tours, are big hits on social media.

“There is a health risk of eating foods that are high in sodium, mostly found in the canned items,” argues the chef, who sees healthy eating as beneficial in the long run.

“We are raising awareness of healthy eating through our farm fresh produce,” added Adams.