COCONUT INDUSTRY: Government Keen On Turbocharging Industry

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Former Member

THE PROGRESS CONTINUES IN GUYANA--MUCH TO THE DISMAY AND CONSTERNATION OF THE PNC AND AFC--THE GUYANA GOVERNMENT NOW WANTS THE COCONUT INDUSTRY TO BOOM

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The Ministry of Agriculture is to set up an oversight committee aimed at boosting the local coconut industry which is currently earning just over US$3M in exports annually.

This was announced by Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at a one-day conference which brought together industry stakeholders on Monday at the ministry’s board room.

He acknowledged that the industry was private sector-driven and added that the government needed to be a stronger facilitator.

“We are going to end today’s meeting with the establishment of a national oversight committee for the coconut industry made up of us in this room meaning the private sector… and from government.

I intend to ask the banks to be a member of this oversight committee, I want to ask IPED to be a member of this oversight committee and I want to ask the FAO and IICA, our United Nations partners, to be a part of the committee.”

The minister added that he would also be inviting representatives from India, Brazil and Mexico whose countries have the expertise in the area. The committee will be chaired by him.

According to him, coconut is the third largest crop under cultivation in Guyana after sugar cane and rice.

“We can’t have the third largest acreage in Guyana but treat it like an orphan industry,” he stated.

Coconut industry stakeholders

The global coconut industry, including value-added products is estimated at US$6B annually. Dr. Ramsammy said Guyana is willing to collaborate with sister CARICOM nations on creating value added products and needed to be more aggressive on that front.

“I know our friends from Trinidad for example want to get hold of our raw materials, coconut water and so on and we will work with our friends from Trinidad and other countries but I want to give a signal to our partners in the Caribbean and other countries that Guyana would be more than willing to collaborate in joint ventures and partnerships for value added products emanating from our communities.

Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic are the major importers of Guyana’s copra (dried coconut kernel), coconut oil and coconut milk.

Constraints faced by the industry include labour shortage; pest management; flooding; lack of accurate industry information; and financing. There is an estimated 25,000 hectares of coconut currently under cultivation

Monday’s conference was called to discuss the status of the industry and to look at the plans for 2013.

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Former Member

Glad to see the PPP moving in that direction. Coconut and its obvious agro processing advantages and renewable energy were a plank in the AFC's agri policy/Action Plan. Coconut and sugar are two excellent feedstocks for many agro derivative products.

1/14/137:52 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by TK:

The main focus ought to be converting coconuts into value added products---that's a job creator right there:

What value added products can be attained from coconuts ?

The literature is widely available:

* particle board from the coconut shell

* pig and chicken feed from the white meat

* anti corrosion matting from the fuzzy fiber on the coconut shell

* bio disel from coconut oil

* plus other value added products

RE: VALUE ADDED

I have always said--why produce and export peanuts---why not peanut butter.

The AFC is 100% correct about agro processing---huge potential for a country like Guyana---and importantly---big job creator----mining and oil production--not huge job creators.

Rev

1/14/138:15 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by Freaky:

Logistics or the lack thereof will doom this venture like with any other Agro/perishable food products business

Stop being a pessimist!

Listen! before large scale agro processing can be done successfully in Guyana---the appropriate infrastructure will need to be put in place.

But credit must be given to Ramsammy and company---valued added is the way to go---and the infrastructure can be put in place----hopefully the Indians, Chinese, Brazilians will express an interest in the Guyana coconut industry.

Rev

1/14/138:24 PM

Former Member

Originally Posted by Freaky:

Pessimist? I'm just stating the obvious How can GY compete logistically when they have no deep water harbor for a seaport? Will you ship your products oseas in barrels? It's a fantastic idea in theory but to put this into motion will require some other country to finance the bill Give the Brazzos access to the Atl they will gladly build you your deep water harbor/port

Freaky!

Good points!

Listen! I have said before on this forum that before Guyana attracts large scale/world class agro processing companies---and develops a world class agro processing industry--world class infrastructure will have to be in place.

THERE IS TREMENDOUS AGRO PROCESSING POTENTIAL IN GUYANA!

* Regarding that deep water harbor---Ramo just returned from Brazil---he had a serious chat with the Brazilian president---both agreed that the road to lethem should be paved and a deep water port in Berbice should be developed---these 2 projects would benefit both Guyana and Brazil---time for the talk to stop and the action to begin---develop those projects.

* Regarding a cheaper source of energy---this is where the hydro comes into play

* A deep water harbor + a cheaper source of energy/electricity----and you'll have endless possibilities for other industries.

BOTTON LINE:

I like what I'm reading---I like the VISION---Ramsammy is talking about valued added in the coconut industry----there is also valued added to be had in the sugar industry.

You see that---take out the "im" and there are endless possiblities.

Rev

1/14/138:51 PM

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