PLANTATION RUST EN WERK

This is one of the plantations built in the ^18th century by Governor Wigbold Crommelin. It is inhabited by many Javanese and Hindustani. Initially a coffee plantation, production shifted to sugar in 1889. As the sugar industry moved to Marienburg, sugar production at Rust & Werk came to a halt and the company was liquidated in 1934. In 1947, the plantation was bought by the Dutch candy manufacturer Jamin & fils, and production turned to cocoa. Following a very dry year in 1960, most of the crops failed and the company resigned.

In 1979, the Van Alen family bought the plantation, which had been covered by secondary forest. Today, the industrialist owns 8 contiguous plantations rehabilitated for cattle rearing, as well as an experimental fish farm, where he raises "white-legged shrimp". With almost 5,000 hectares of meadows, home to over 5,600 cows, 550 sheep and goats, 40 buffalo and 20 horses, Rust & Werk has truly become the livestock capital of Commewijne. The Van Alens have also restored and improved the irrigation system on the plantations. The eight plantations are surrounded by a dam with moats and large restored sluices to manage the fresh water. The village of Rust en Werk, on the eponymous plantation site, is the only village on this side of the Commewijne Rivier that is growing rather than declining.