Georgetown: In Guyana, coconut has been a very important crop in sustaining livelihoods in many communities and is once again re-gaining its importance in agricultural development in Guyana.
In support of coconut and coconut products’ development in Guyana, the Guyana Marketing Corporation will be hosting a Grand “COCONUT EXPOSITION” on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 09:00hrs to 16:00hrs at the Guyana Shop, Robb & Alexander Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown.
The objective of this activity is to create greater awareness and promote the market opportunities that exist for coconuts and coconut based products including the increased demand for dried and coconut water.
Some of the products that will be on display includes extra virgin coconut oil, coconut water, canned coconut cream & milk, coconut craft, coconut wine coconut dishes, etc. There will also be displays on new and innovative technologies, proper post harvest management, improved farming practices and export requirements and many more.
The coconut industry in Guyana has been identified as one of the sectors with a large potential for further development.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, coconut already exists in Guyana as one of the key non-traditional crops and its production relies on Guyana’s comparative advantages in terms of land, water and labour.
The Ministry of Agriculture is currently focusing on a very aggressive agriculture diversification programme of which the coconut industry is an important component of this initiative.
The Ministry of Agriculture recognizes the fact that coconut is the third largest crop in Guyana after rice and sugar and has emphasized that building the coconut industry will require coordinated efforts from all stakeholders in this sector. The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will continue to collaborate with the coconut stakeholders so as to better respond to market needs and the evolving nature of the industry.
The increasing importance of coconut was represented with the increased production from 10,725 mt in 2011 to 17,104 mt in 2012. Additionally, 2012 showed an increase in coconut exports, recording in excess of US$ 2.4 million of coconut and coconut products.
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