CARIBBEAN Agricultural and Research Development Institute  (CARDI) and the International Trade Center (ITC) Thursday and Friday last  engaged   local producers  of coconuts and coconut products  in a consultation on a   future direction for  the industry locally and regionally .The consultation  aimed at obtaining their inputs    for a  dynamic and responsive  plan with actionable steps for benefiting from the growing world-wide demand for coconuts and  coconut products.
The  consultation is  an integral part of a  European Union (EU) funded  programme  for re-positioning and development of the coconut industry within the Caribbean, with Guyana being one of nine  countries which are beneficiaries.
The launch of the Guyana leg consultations  took place on Thursday last at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara, under the theme : “Re-positioning the coconut industry within nine Caribbean countries for restoration and sustainable development.”

Those present included top officials of CARDI and the ITC,  a representative of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), Senior  Agricultural Officers, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr George Jervis,   NAREI, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA)  the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)  the Caribbean AgriBusiness Association (CABA) , the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)  the Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA)  and  the EU, among others .
Speakers at the launch included Dr Homenauth, CARDI’s Technical Services Manager Dr Francis Asiedu, ITC Representative and Head of Product Sector Development Mr. Matias Urrutigoity, PS  Jervis  and  EU Ambassador Robert Kopecky.
In welcoming remarks, Dr Homenauth  said that the development of the industry has to be market driven.
He noted that given the diffusiveness of the coconut market regionally, it will have to be driven by international sources that can fuel demand and ensure its vibrancy.
He stressed  that the  ability of the sector  to be competitive can be facilitated by the individual creativity of producers,  inputs from scientists and technicians, as well as a Central Guiding Coconut Authority in each of the nine participating countries, each funded   by a regional   coconut Industry Development Agency.
Permanent Secretary George Jervis said that the coconut had come a long way from the abusive rhetoric of  “scientists”   who had  described  consumption  of its products as threats  to human health.
He noted that coconut production locally had  increased from five million tonnes in 2010 to ten million four hundred and seventy  tonnes in 2014, with exports going to all of the major countries.
He supported the need for an active coconut steering committee in each country, plus regional steering committees formed from an elected representative from each of the active  local steering  committees to ensure that all the necessary  work   is implemented and monitored.
He expressed hopes that a fully developed  road map for market development  for the sector  will  make the local and Regional industry stronger and more competitive  with other coconut  products from any other part of the world.
EU Ambassador Robert Kopecky emphasised that the  EU development policy recognised the major role of agriculture for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
He observed that between 1950 and 1980, the coconut industry constituted an important sectoral activity in agricultural and rural development in Guyana and in the Caribbean Region, but collapsed due to pest and disease issues.
He added: “Coconut is making its come back and demand for products such as coconut water, milk and oil has seen a boom not only in this region, but all over the world.”
He stressed that the  road-map consultation offered a good opportunity to discuss – through a participatory process – priorities to improve the profitability of the sector, its productivity and its  long term sustainability.
He said that the funding for the project is fully integrated in the EU’s development cooperation, in line with its continuing support for decent work, human rights and social protection.
Resource persons Dr Asiedu of CARDI and Mr Urrutigoity of ITC briefed  participants on the history of the project  and the  expectations of the organisers before the start of the discussions .
The Guyana leg of the consultations ended yesterday.
By Clifford Stanley
***Saved as officials
Caption: –
***Saved as locally
Caption: –