Gov’t will spare no effort in revitalising coconut industry
-Minister Persaud

The coconut industry, is receiving special attention from the Government, as it seeks to elevate the commodity to one of optimum benefits, in keeping with the Ministry of Agriculture’s effort of promoting agriculture diversification, from a market led approach.
            Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today convened a meeting which saw the input of farmers, stakeholders and investors, to discuss the development of a coconut water processing plant.
            A study was completed with assistance from coconut expert Dr. Shivarama Reddy from India, as efforts intensify to have the industry modernised. This will see farmers’ needs addressed and cultivation and market bases expanded.
            Minister Persaud pointed out that the revitalisation plan will see production in terms of quality enhanced, since the product can be used as a base for others.
            This, he said, comes at a time when there is a renewed interest in the coconut industry, by investors hence, the crafting of the plan two years prior to supply the market demand regionally and internationally with coconut and its related product.

Minister Persaud (sixth from left), addresses farmers and stakeholders during meeting to discuss the development of a coconut water processing plant.

             “We also recognised in our country that we have a number of coconut estates which were abandoned while the others were not properly kept and so we convened a meeting with some of those owners and others who were interested in different parts of the country and we came up with a plan looking at all areas, from technical assistance to infrastructural works,” he said.
            The aim of Government is to have a more diversified coconut industry by sourcing other by-products, rather than reliance on the traditional exporting of nuts and copra.
            According to the Agriculture Minister, there was a commonly held myth, particularly in the 70s and 80s that coconut and its by-products contributed to high cholesterol levels, noting that this is one contributing factor for the moving-away from the industry.
“Even amongst ourselves in Guyana we still believe it’s bad to be consuming coconut related products particularly the oil that comes from coconut, but we have seen what has happened in terms of global trends and it did not only affect Guyana, but the coconut in Africa and Asia,” he said. 
            Guyana has since been receiving support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Indian Government in making the industry more vibrant and competitive.         
            To date, the nursery at Hope Estate was restructured while the coconut bottling plant will be completed shortly.
            Minister Persaud while adding that Government is concerned primarily with the export of coconut-based products; emphasised that focus must be on diversification and development of the industry, with technology playing a key role.
            In this regard, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), will be integrally involved in the programme, as well as persons from the private sector, in conjunction with farmers.
            Government will be investing $9M this year in terms of developing appropriate technology; since its main purpose is to improve technology coupled with market opportunities.
            “We have also been looking at the various varieties that are suitable and we will continue to pursue that, but there is lot of work to be done and recognise that and it is one that will continue to get support in the context of our diversification plan for the agriculture sector,” he added.
            There are currently 24,000 hectares of coconut across the country and according to the Agriculture Minister; more can be done to further expand the industry, which will see government sparing no effort in this regard.    
Government has over the years been working to revitalise the industry through workshops, exhibitions and training since its aim is to resuscitate it to such a level that it will also create job opportunities for many. Guyana has been pursuing support from India, and several South American countries to assist in this effort, especially to obtain new varieties.