INTRODUCTION

For decades Guyanas population has remained almost constant, always fluctuating around the seven hundred

thousand mark. While the country sees a high birthrate, any population increase is nullified by the high emigration

rate that plague the country. Hence migration is a significant occurrence hindering the growth of Guyana.

Particularly in the County of Berbice, the population continues to decline drastically, this is supported by the

countys population figures for the years 1980 (182,673), 1991 (142, 496), 2002 (123, 695) and 2012 (109, 431)

these figures show the steady decline in the population size of Berbice. This declining population is predominantly

caused by emigration.

Black Bush Polder (BBP), is located in east Berbice, Corentyne. It is a relatively large farming community. The

name Black Bush polder originates from the geological aspects of the land around the community and the type of

vegetation that dominated the area in the past. A Polder is a low lying tract of land enclosed by embankments

(dykes) that forms an artificial hydrological entity, meaning that outside water only reaches the polder by human

intervention.

BBP is situated approximately seven miles to the south of the Corentyne public road. It consists of four major areas:

Lesbeholden, Mibikuri, Johanna and Yakusari that stretches for about 22 miles and supports a population of about six

thousand persons of which the vast majority is Indo Guyanese. Some residents are also engaged in cash crop

production as well as livestock rearing. Majority of BBPs residents are employed in rice production with the polder

featuring over 17,000 acres of land under rice cultivation. It has been dubbed by both internal and external

perspectives as the largest agricultural based location in Guyana and as the supplier for a large chunk of agricultural

products (rice, vegetables, and ground provisions) for both local and international markets.

This community has been plagued by issues such as severely dilapidated roads, detrimental flooding and irrigation

issues and badly damaged bridges. On numerous visits to this community by the researcher, numerous empty houses

that were clearly once occupied are evident. This points to the fact that the owners have migrated for one reason or

another.

The aims of this study, therefore, are to:

 Explain the causes of migration in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice;
Discuss the consequences of migration in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

METHODOLOGY

The study on the causes and consequences of migration on was conducted on the 19 th February, 2016 in Black Bush

Polder, Corentyne. BBP has a total population of six thousand residents, divided amongst four main areas;

Lesbeholden, Mibicuri, Johanna and Yaksari. To conduct this study, random sampling was used; the name of each

area were placed in a bag, and then Lesbeholden was drawn randomly as the area to conduct the investigation.

The sample group used to conduct this study were current residents of Lesbeholden and of these, the sample size

selected was forty (40) residents. A questionnaire was employed as the instrument for data collection. This

questionnaire consisted of 18 easy to understand questions based on the aim of the study. The questionnaires

structure was very simplistic as literacy and lexicon limitations of the respondents were taken into account. The forty

questionnaires were distributed and filled in the presence of the researchers, so as to minimize difficulty in answering
the questions, as any queries were immediately clarified. All questionnaires were completed on time, according to

schedule (on the same day of distribution)

Upon completion of data collection, the data was interpreted, analyzed in the form of graphs and charts, while the

discussion of the analyzed data followed.

DATA DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Characteristics of the Population

Forty (40) residents of BBP participated in the survey.

Figure 1: Age of respondents

6; 15.00% 4; 10.00%

1; 2.50%

20-24
25-29
6; 15.00%
30-34
35-39
11; 27.50% 40-44
45-49
50 pl us

12; 30.00%

Source: Questionnaire
Figure 1 portrays the age of all respondents. Forty five percent (45 %) were male while fifty five percent (55 %)

were female. Respondents in this survey hailed from six age groups; 25-29 (1), 30-34 (4), 35-39 (6), 40-44 (12), 45-

49 (11) and 50 plus (6). The single dominant age group was 40-44 which, alone, accounted for 30% of the studys

responses. The dominant age range that composed majority of the responses were 35 50 years of age, this age

range, which composed of four (4) age groups, accounted for thirty five (35) of forty (40) respondents or eighty

eight percent (88%) of the sample size.

This study populations dominant age range and gender can be accounted for by the fact that the researchers

requested the eldest person available in the household at the time of the survey, as such they received majority of the

responses from older members of the households where the study was conducted. It was also seen that majority of

the respondents were also female while the minority were male due to more females being at home at the time the

study was being carried out while their male counterparts were otherwise occupied such as work or recreation or

simply did not wish to participate in the study.

 Figure 2: Responses to Length of Residency

1-4 years; 2.50%

5-9 years; 7.50%

12 plus years; 50.00%

10-12 years; 40.00%

< 1 year 1-4 yea rs 5-9 yea rs 10-12 years 12 pl us yea rs

Source: Questionnaire
Upon analysis of Figure 2 it was found that of all respondents fifty percent (50 %) have been residents in BBP

before 2004, forty percent (40%) since 2004- 2006, eight percent (8 %) since 2007-2011 while two percent (2%) has

been a resident of Black Bush Polder since 2012 2015. Of forty respondents, thirty six have been living in the

community for over a decade, this proves that the study group was very well suited to provide vital information on

the study as they possessed vast knowledge on the population of present day Black Bush Polder in contrast to what it

once was. In addition to this they also possessed knowledge of possible reasons for the emigration of their neighbors

as well as the ways the neighborhood and community as a whole was affected.

Of all respondents ninety percent have resided in Black Bush Polder for at least a decade, this is a direct result of the

majority of the surveys respondents being aged (35-50) Also majority of the respondents would have moved to

Black Bush Polder either before or during the success boom it experienced with family or perhaps a spouse who

operated in the agricultural sector. These persons then settled and operated within Black Bush thereafter. The more
recent respondents in the survey were either migrant residents from other communities that moved to BBP for family

unification or work or offspring of older residents who have resided in Black Bush Polder for a extended period of

time.

Factors Influencing Decisions for Migrating

To fully understand the drivers of migration amongst BBP residents, comparisons of the issues raised was done.

Figure 3: Do you plan to emigrate permanently?

 No; 12.50%

Yes; 87.50%

Source: Questionnaire

The number of persons who wished to emigrate was first evaluated. Figure 3 reflects this. Eighty seven percent

(87%) of respondents voiced their desire to emigrate permanently. With these numbers in mind, it was evident that

vast majority of respondents sought permanent overseas residence, and the reasons for this varied. The first

identifiable reason was family reunification. Figure 4 demonstrates the amount of family members per respondent

who have migrated. All respondents had at least a single family member living abroad.

Figure 4: Family members who emigrated in recent years

 1 Pers on 2 Pers ons 3 Pers ons 4 Pers ons 5 pl us Pers ons

1; 2.50%
3; 7.50%

10; 25.00%
3; 7.50%

23; 57.50%

Source: Questionnaire
A total of fifty eight percent (58%) of the respondents stated that they were aware of four emigrants close to them.

Twenty five percent knew of ten or more emigrants, eight percent of respondents stated that they knew of just three

persons close to them who emigrated while seven percent knew of two persons and one person knew of a sole

emigrant. The two most dominant selections was four and five plus family members who migrated.

This can be accounted for as persons wishing to emigrate permanently would seek to carry a sizable party to

maximize adaptation to the new location. When taken into perspective this serves both as a Push and Pull factor. The

pull and push factors appear when a Pioneer emigrant would migrate and seek to establish a comfortable, stable

settlement and then send for their family members back home, romanticizing the new country in comparison to

Guyana and effectively drawing their Guyanese counterparts to emigrate. The apparent contrast in standard of living,

among other things lure persons to join their Guyanese relatives abroad. This behavior appears plausible as from a

total number of at least one hundred and fifty eight emigrants , at least one hundred and fifty five of them were

stated by respondents to currently be residing in developed, first world countries, namely the United Kingdom, The

United States and Canada. Hence, these countries are almost always universally accepted as very desirable

destinations as their infrastructure, amenities, facilities and standard of living and made to seem much better than

Guyanas. When this is coupled with the sugarcoated persuasions of overseas relatives, emigration for Guyanese

still in BBP is almost always imminent.

 Figure 5: Elapsed time since migration

45%
0.4
40%

35%
Percentage of respondents

30%

25%
0.2
20%
0.17
15%
15%

10% 0.08

5%

0%
l es s than 1 year a go 1-4 years 5-9 yea rs 10-14 years 15 yea rs pl us

Time since relatives migrated

Source: Questionnaire

Of all emigrants, it was recorded that forty percent have migrated between the years 2007-2011, twenty percent have

migrated since before 2002, seventeen percent between 2002-2006, fifteen percent between 2012 and 2016 and eight

percent within the past twelve months. Majority of the migrants (seventy seven percent) known to respondents have

emigrated before 2012, this data supports the claim that BBPs population has been decreased by over forty percent

within the last twenty years. But what could cause such a massive number of residents to so rapidly seek to

emigrate? Responses are illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Push and Pull factors

Push Factor Pull factors Selection Selection

percentage for percentage
responses (push for
factors) responses
 (pull factors)
Bad political climate Stable political climate 5% 4%
Poor infrastructure Better infrastructure, e.g. roads 11% 18%
poor access to More accessible services and 18% 14%
services and facilities facilities
Constant threat of Reduced threat of hazards, e.g. no 13% 4%
hazards, e.g. flooding flooding
High incidences of Stronger security measures and 29% 13%
crime reduced crime
Lack of relatives in Family reunification 5% 27%
country
Poor employment Greater range of employment 19% 20%
opportunities opportunities and earning potential
Source: Questionnaire

Political Policies
This factor accounts for a small amount of emigrants (five and four percent respectively). This can be accounted for

as in recent years the ruling political party was the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC). This party was

predominantly supported by Indo- Guyanese, a group which comprises the majority of BBP, hence only few would

find displeasure with governmental policies as key factor in their migration.

Infrastructure and services

A combined percentage of twenty nine responses listed BBPs infrastructure as a driving factor. Thirty two percent

(32%) listed the poor quality and access to services as a push factor. BBP is notorious for the very poor condition of

its roads which are riddled with potholes. These wreak havoc on traversing vehicles, especially in rainy seasons

where a mud and water make traversing the roads all the more difficult. Also, the bridges are in a dilapidated

condition. Many are made of wood which have since become rotten. Drainage is also poor during the rainy season

which often leads to flooding. Although these conditions have been somewhat remedied, they were existent.

In addition the services available in BBP also contributed to these decisions to leave. In terms of educational

facilities, BBP has one primary, secondary and nursery school housed within a single building. It is no surprise that
many students and pupils attend schools in other communities. As such these youngsters are already adapted to being

away from BBP for majority of their time.

Health services and infrastructure are also underdeveloped as just three grade one health centers exist within BBP

while recreational facilities are existent but are primitive and often take the form of fields and pastures overrun with

grasses and bushes with no further recreational infrastructure. BBP is a rural community and as such most residents

who get the opportunity to migrate will most likely do so.

Crime and Hazards

Crime was a dominant factor influencing migrants as it account for a combined forty two percent of responses while

hazards also contributed on a lesser scope with seventeen percent of responses. Crime was a common occurrence,

ranging from petty crimes to serious offenses. In addition it is the general perception that the local police is incapable

of dealing with such offenses.

BBP is vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season. Because it is an agricultural community, losses are great.

Farmers loose an entire crop and this affects the level of input into the next crop. Such risks deter farmers from

making long term investments in agriculture.

Family reunification

Due to the high number of family emigrating from BBP, residents who never sought to emigrate now wish to as they

now have family members comfortably established abroad and wish to be within close proximity to them. These

people want to be close to their family and hence are willing to go overseas to reunite with them. This is a major

factor in the emigration decision as person would cope with aforementioned factors should their family reside here

but would seek to migrate if family members are abroad.

Income and Job opportunities

Better job opportunities and the capacity for greater earning potential are vital in driving emigration. It comprises

thirty nine percent of responses. Of forty respondents, eighty eight percent were employed. Occupations were

predominantly agricultural but trade and health oriented occupations such as shopkeepers and nurses also existed.

This fuels the desire to emigrate as the agriculture sector has been declining in recent years. This coupled with the

high cost of living, fertilizers, marketing etc. has rendered emigration a valid option. Agriculture is also seen as

backbreaking work and trivial. While the older populace can relate to it, the educated, younger populace seeks

opportunities abroad. Salaries amongst respondents were thirty thousand dollars or higher, however, due to numerous

monies being sent back by family abroad, persons would seek to maximize their earning potential by pursuing jobs

abroad.

Consequences of migration on Black Bush Polder

Upon analysis, migration is seen to have various impacts on the supplier community, both positive and negative as

demonstrated in figure seven.

Figure 7: impacts of migration

 10.00%
18.75%

16.25%
Overa l l s evere decl i ne i n
popul ation
brai n drai n'
relatives abroa d s endi ng back
15.00% money
Less competition for jobs
Di vi s i on of fa mil i es

40.00%

Source: Questionnaire

As depicted, a tremendous positive consequence is residents being able to receive money sent from their relatives

abroad. This seemingly outweighs all other consequences, but such is not the case, as while the monies received may

indeed benefit residents, it is not enough to get by on solely. Another positive consequence is the increased

availability of jobs in BBP, most of which are agricultural based. However the overall population is endangered as in

recent years alone forty seven percent of residents have migrated. In addition to this, many young , able-bodied,

educated and skilled people are pursuing means abroad, contributing to the brain drain of BBP.