Pomeroon to become Guyana’s coconut capital

THE community of Pomeroon is set to officially become “the coconut capital of Guyana”, and coconut water is set to become the national drink when the Ministry of Agriculture hosts a grand Coconut Festival, from October 21 to 23, in observance of Agriculture Month 2016.The festival will feature cuisines, art and craft, and value-added products from the coconut industry, as well as presentations on the value of the industry to Guyana’s development.
In fact, Agriculture Month 2016 will be paying special attention to the coconut industry; and on October 16, there will be a huge boat parade in the Pomeroon River to create awareness of the industry and to stop pollution of the Pomeroon River.

Many farmers in the Pomeroon are in the habit of disposing of coconut shells and husks in the river, which not only creates an ugly sight but impedes smooth transportation on the water top.
The boat parade is being organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and other stakeholders. The Ministry of Tourism intends to use the industry to promote agro-tourism by organising tours on coconut farms, showing how coconut is harvested, and how it is processed.

In all of this, heavy focus will be placed on research, employment, and trade.
The Pomeroon community reportedly has the best coconuts in the world. In the Pomeroon alone, there are about 20,000 acres of land that can be cultivated with coconuts, producing an estimated 140 million nuts per year. And at $50 per nut, it is a $7 billion enterprise waiting to be tapped; and this does not include the value-added industry of the coconut, which includes coconut oil, craft, and coconut water.

The worth of the value-added industry is estimated at about $7 billion, most of which can come from the sale of coconut water.
It is estimated that the demand for coconut water grows at between 50 and 100 per cent annually. Globally, the coconut water industry is worth US$1 billion, and the product is on its way to becoming the world’s most popular drink.

According to The WaterPage.Com, coconut water increases rehydration, boosts the immune system, decreases heat stroke, increases blood circulation in diabetics, and is important in anti-aging treatments. Moreover, coconut water is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

Locally, some 60,000 acres of land are under coconut cultivation; and in terms of its status as a priority agriculture crop, coconut ranks third in importance, behind rice and sugar.
About half of the coconuts produced locally are exported to The Dominican Republic, but these are mainly dried nuts.
In light of the threat of global warming, coconut stands out as a climate-resistant crop, and can be a more-than-useful product to brace farmers during hard times.