– surge in demand boosts farmers’ profits

DUE to the inherent health benefits of coconuts, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has disclosed the remarkable surge in demand for coconuts and its by-products in Guyana, attributing it to the fruit’s inherent health benefits. This surge has translated into substantial earnings for participants across the coconut-production chain, particularly coconut farmers.

Speaking exclusively to this publication, Minister Mustapha highlighted the success of the national coconut programme, aimed at fostering a resilient and enduring coconut sector. He emphasised its dual objective of improving citizens’ quality of life, while bolstering the nation’s food security.

The minister expressed satisfaction and pride in the achievements in his department, especially considering that coconut production was virtually non-existent before he acceded to office in 2020.
According to him, “I am pleased to see the achievement of positive results because of the government’s investment in this very important sector.

Over the past three years, Guyana’s coconut industry has achieved an increase in acreage of just over 6,000, with 776 new farmers directly involved in coconut production. Moreover, it has seen the establishment of 10 coconut nurseries with the capacity to produce just over 206,000 coconut seedlings annually.”

Minister Mustapha also mentioned that the anticipated arrival of the new hybrid coconut type (BRS-001) from COHIBRA, Brazil, is expected by the end of May in Guyana. He further added that the Philippine Green Dwarf (PGD), a new species from Costa Rica, is expected to arrive in Guyana in late June. According to him, these different types will effectively enhance both the current yield and the genetic diversity of the coconuts grown in the vicinity.

“Under the 2024 capital programme for coconuts, which is being executed by Hope Coconut Industries Limited (HCIL) in collaboration with NAREI, Guyana has targeted to import 39,000 seed nuts from overseas, and I am confident that this target will be surpassed, since approved contracts for the supply of coconuts from both Brazil and Costa Rica have amounted to 63,000 seed nuts,” Minister Mustapha explained.

Furthermore, the minister stated that 7,000 Brazilian Green Dwarf seedlings will be made available to farmers in Region Two, specifically in the Pomeroon area, to facilitate the production and cultivation process. Minister Mustapha highlighted that the intervention, overseen by the Ministry’s National Coconut Decentralisation Programme, is expected to provide direct assistance to over 200 coconut farmers.

“Since a large number of seed nuts are still germinating in some of the coconut nurseries, the distribution of these seedlings will be done in tranches,” he explained.
Mr. Ricky Roopchand, the General Manager of Hope Estate, highlighted the challenges and plans for Guyana’s coconut industry, mentioning that a significant problem they encountered was a long and intense drought period.

This led to inadequate germination of certain seed nuts. Due to this issue, around 28,000 seed nuts did not germinate, causing HCIL to face a setback and making it unable to meet the high demand for coconut seedlings in the country.
To prevent this from happening again, Mr. Roopchand stated that HCIL and NAREI have recently implemented a programme to provide shade for all 10 coconut nurseries in the country as a solution to the issue.

Additionally, he emphasises that this practice will significantly enhance the germination rate, resulting in reduced losses caused by adverse weather conditions.
Mr. Roopchand also said, “The 2024 initiative will surpass expectations in terms of the importation and release of new coconut varieties. New varieties will be made accessible within the next two months.

Costa Rica has made new progress, and cooperation with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) played an essential role in facilitating the process.”
The general manager also stated that the IDB has allocated funds for the procurement of 13,000 extra seed nuts from COHIBRA, Brazil, in addition to HCIL’s capital project. Additionally, this will directly benefit approximately 260 farmers.

“In the upcoming two months, it is expected that all 10 coconut nurseries will be fully stocked, and we anticipate that coconut producers will soon have simple access to sufficient supplies of premium coconut seedlings,” Mr. Roopchand said.
Despite the challenges faced owing to the prolonged dry season, Mr. Roopchand said, “The Ministry of Agriculture’s policy, which is designed to satisfy farmer [sic] demands and advance the development of this third-most significant industry (after rice and sugar), has provided the Government of Guyana with substantial support, enabling the coconut industry to thrive.”