After El Nino weather…
THE pineapple factory at Mainstay on Essequibo Coast has resumed full operation, after being forced to close for several weeks due to the intense El Nino weather condition. The severe dry weather had affected several hundred acres of the organically cultivated fruit and production of organic chunks ceased.
Consequently, 35 employees, mostly women were without work.
However, farmers maintained their farms and, when the rains started, the crop quickly progressed.
Harvesting is currently in progress and the factory employees are back on the job.
The finished products are exported overseas mainly to France and the factory is to put out a new line, organic pineapple juice, shortly.
Planters in Mainstay/Whyaka have extended their cultivations in keeping with the high demand for organic pineapple chunks on the international and local markets.
In the forested area of Mainstay/Whyaka, the pineapple is grown in white, sandy soil.