–prospects also look good for plantains

GUYANA’S push to grow the coconut industry will see at least 5000 more acres being put under the plough in the near future.
This is according to Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Dr. Oudho Homenauth, who also announced upcoming plans to reveal a second phase of activities for the promising coconut sector.
He recently seized the opportunity to encourage cash-crop farmers in East Berbice, during an outreach there, to consider doing coconuts instead, since the constant floods in the region were making life difficult for them.

He said that with the proposed expansion of the industry by 5,000 acres, the total acreage of land under coconut cultivation countrywide will soon be 30,000.
Their biggest supply, Dr Homenauth said, comes from the Pomeroon, on the Essequibo River, where some eight to 10 acres of land are strictly dedicated to coconuts.
“We anticipate, based on our records and what we have at the moment, that within another two to three years we will see another 5000 acres in the Pomeroon,” he said.
And with good going, he told one East Berbice cash-crop farmer who seemingly has an interest in going coconuts, the same strategy may very well apply to Region Six.
The farmer at reference, who seemed to be well informed, spoke authoritatively of the benefits to be derived from experimenting with hybrids and soil types, and employing planting techniques practised in Mexico.

Dr Homenauth said that he is well aware that farmers have been concerned about planting materials and other crop-related issues, and that is why they have been allowed to bring in planting materials from places like Brazil, and to some extent Mexico and Sri Lanka. Particular planting styles observed in Mexico have been said to increase quantity, and improve crop success.
Dr Homenauth said it is understandable that for the first, farmers would have to start small, but the coconut sector is one where they could comfortably become involved.
One farmer said that with the favourable prices coconuts are fetching on the overseas markets, Region Sixers have nothing to lose if they too dedicate 5000 acres of land to the cultivation of the fruit as the Pomeroonians have done.

Dr Homenauth couldn’t agree more, as the industry is open to anyone who cares to invest in it. “We do have a plan for coconuts as an industry,” he said.
On the subject of plantains, farmers at Crabwood Creek, on the upper Corentyne, were encouraged to continue growing it, as the area is one of the largest plantain producers in the country.
Dr Homenauth said that thanks to the many government interventions to improve production, the commodity has seen its highest production ever of in excess of 78,000 tons.

He said the emphasis is not squarely on plantain chips as a by-product, but noted that a breakthrough could be made in this industry, since many varieties of the commodity by foreign producers, continue to flood the local market.

The NAREI head said this should not be the case in Guyana, pointing to the country’s very own ‘Kaieteur’ plantain chip brand which is currently in the trial stage in local supermarkets.
Homenauth said that feedback is being sought on the item which is being sold at $140 per packet.

Apart from plantain chips, other products are being looked at, Homenauth revealed. “So you won’t have an issue with plantains in terms of marketing.” He said this could be achieved in the shortest possible time, hence the reason for emphasis being placed on the crop.
Guyana, for the first time, held its coconut festival last October and which was hailed as a great success. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin had stated possibilities surrounding the “new and non- traditional” engagement. He said that coconut was ideal as there seemed to exist a “seemingly endless market.” A plantain chip factory was also set to be opened in Leguan to encourage local production and consumption of the product. The factory is expected to commence operation this month.