THE Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) held its 2018 ‘CARDI DAY’ in the mining town of Linden under the theme, “Celebrating the potential of the region’s coconut industry”.

The event saw the hosting of several activities geared towards educating students in Linden, particularly those pursuing agriculture, on the strides made under the EU-ACP funded Regional Coconut Industry Development Project.

Linden’s renowned coconut farmer and agro-processor Owen DeSouza is CARDI’s featured Region 10 farmer and the students were able to experience first-hand, the stages of coconut production, manufacturing of coconut bi-products and the shredding of the coconut husk during a tour of De Souza’s coconut farm and factory. The students then witnessed how virgin coconut oil is produced as well as soaps made of the virgin coconut oil and other agricultural produce grown right on the farm.

During the tour, DeSouza highlighted the uses of several medicinal plants in his farm such as the moringa and how same is also processed into various packaged products.
CARDI representative in Guyana, Dr. Cyril Roberts noted that the coconut industry development project is not only focusing on coconut production, but more importantly, intercropping of coconut palms to diversify and generate additional income streams.

“A coconut tree takes different times before it starts to produce coconuts, there are some that come in 18 months, some that come in three years, some that come in five years and when you plant it, the space in between the trees is generally about 20 feet. We feel that waiting that long and having that space, it can be better utilised, so we are encouraging farmers to instead of trying to weed the space, to plant different things in there, they can plant crops that take a little while to grow and they can plant cash crops, so this is a demonstration on how we can maximise the space within a coconut farm,” Roberts related.

This, he said, is the trending way in agriculture since in the eventuality of the coconut not reaping as expected, the farmer is able to diversify his/her income stream to cushion what the coconut may bring forth.
In addition to diversification on the coconut farm, the students also toured the coconut seedling nursery which is used to generate addition planting material.

DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrated as well, was the coconut husk shredder which shreds up to 3000 green or 1000 dried coconuts per hour. Roberts noted that rather than to look at the coconut husk as a waste, it should be looked at as a material for another industry and an additional means of generating income. The husk when shredded can be used as a substitute soil for planting delicate crops and the fibre that is separated after being shredded, can be used to produce mats, hand bags and other craft products.

Roberts noted that in addition to DeSouza, there are nine other farmers across Guyana who are being used as pilot farmers to encourage and train other farmers in coconut production. DeSouza is one of the pioneers of coconut agro-processing in Linden and made major headways with his sensational virgin coconut oil as well as the multi-purpose oil. His soaps are also gaining momentum as he professes the plethora of benefits these have to the skin and hair.

The students were able to see how DeSouza concocts the various oils, herbs and fruits, before placing it in a mold and baking it for 24 hours. The virgin coconut oil is made from grated coconut husk, which is left for 24 hours after which the oil is scooped from the top. The same husk can also produce the fried coconut oil.

Roberts noted that CARDI made a decision to have the students involved in CARDI Day as this would boost their motivation to get involved in agriculture and change their perception of the field being a boring and dirty one. “We have to make agriculture attractive to them, in these times, agriculture cannot be seen by young people as sun and rain and fork and mud; we have to make it sexy, so to speak.”

CARDI also honoured Mackenzie High School’s agriculture top student Gabrielle Williams, who placed third in the Caribbean. This award is given annually to the most outstanding performer in agriculture at the CXC examination in the Region.