Pomeroon farmer Vilma Da Silva calls for diversification of crops … says coconuts are a hit on the int’l market
POMEROON farmer Ms Vilma Da Silva is calling for the diversification of crops in the light of issues facing the rice industry. Speaking at the recent meeting of the Regional Democratic Council at Anna Regina, the councillor, who is a large-scale cash crop farmer in the Pomeroon, said now is the time for farmers to look at diversification. She called on farmers to support each other and for the Ministry of Agriculture to help them with more ready markets for their produce.
Ms Da Silva, who also operates a water coconut bottling plant in the Pomeroon, said rice is in crisis, but she thanked God for coconuts. She said coconuts from the Pomeroon are in demand on the international market.
According to Ms Da Silva, The Pomeroon is the largest coconut-producing area in the entire Caribbean and prices for the water and dried coconuts are very attractive at this time.
She said she currently has markets for four large containers of coconut water for the Caribbean every month, adding that coconuts are in demand as well as fresh fruits, and she called on farmers to look into areas of diversification. She said the late President of Guyana Dr Cheddi Jagan, had always said never put all your eggs in one basket.
(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)
