Bonefish Pond Farmers: “We Just Need Help”

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – Farmers in the Bonefish Pond Area say crumbling roads, flooding, and a lack of basic infrastructure are threatening both their livelihoods and their safety.


They’re now calling on the government to step in, saying years of letters and promises have led to little action.


As our Delvardo Emmanuel tell us, their concerns have reached the Agriculture Minister, who says those frustrated farmers will have their issues addressed.

“ We need it fixed for security for when we have fires through here for, fire engines to get through. We need some lighting. We don’t wanna have no more , deaths” – Brennen

That’s Jane Brennen, farmer and co-owner of Homeaway Farm, talking about poor road conditions in the area located just off Marshall Road.

For nearly a decade, dozens of farmers operating in the Bonefish Pond Farming community say poor road conditions have made daily life and business increasingly difficult.

They insist the deteriorating dirt road has become a barrier to farming, emergency access, and personal safety.

In a distress call to Our News, Clarence Sargent, a local farmer, and one of the directors for Bonefish Pond Farm, said the issue has gone on long enough.

“You can’t even get out here. The water, like can’t catch it by your knee. Every time it rained, it would rain for two minutes. That’s water. So we only asking for the government to pay attention. At least give us some help.” – Sargent

Video footage was captured by Sargent, shows the daily struggles they encountered when when it rains.

“ It isn’t easy in the back here. That’s why a lot of farmers come here and they just give up because there’s no hope when you look around. It’s like no hope. “ – Sargent

And with this area already linked to several major crimes, farmers say the lack of lighting is adding to their growing safety concerns.”

“ We’ve not had 1, 2, 3 murders in the back here. We want a stronger police presence because the road fix, the police are able to traverse back and forth. We need lighting because that, like I said, it’s a major concern. This isn’t just farm persons live in the back here. “ – Deanne Forbes-Sargent

I reached out to the minister responsible for agriculture, Jomo Cambpell for his take on their issues.

Here’s his response.

 ”We share their concerns. We know there’ve been longstanding issues, especially safety concerns, with lighting, et cetera, and as well as environmental impact assessments, being carried up and so they should be hearing from us in “a short order”. – Campbell