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Chief Executive Officer of the Coconut Industry Board, Shaun Cameron (right), presents coconut farmer, Junior Foster, with a seedling during a presentation ceremony held recently at the Amity Hall Agro Park in St Catherine
The Agro-Investment Corporation in partnership with the Coconut Industry Board recently presented the Amity Hall Agro Park coconut farmers group with critical inputs valued at $4 million.
Approximately 20 farmers received seedlings, fertilizers, and spray pans during a presentation ceremony held at the Amity Hall Agro Park in St Catherine, as part of the Hurricane Beryl Relief Programme, under the Alliances for Coconut Industry Development for the Caribbean Phase II.
The initiative aims to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of small-scale farmers, ensuring better integration into local, regional, and global markets.
The inputs will support the recovery and growth of their coconut farming operations.
Chief Executive Officer of the Coconut Industry Board, Shaun Cameron said that under the programme, approximately 15 coconut farmer groups will be assisted with materials and other inputs over the next three months.
He said this is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the industry's sustainability. In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl destroyed 3,000 trees.
“As a registered coconut farmer, you benefit from free fertilizers and other essentials [as well as] seedlings, up to five years. The Coconut Board spends on average $150 million annually to support our registered coconut farmers,” Cameron said.
Plant Pathologist for the Coconut Industry Board, Dr Wayne Myrie said the intention is to expand the initiative to assist farmer groups across the island.
“This is a programme that we hope to expand, bearing in mind that we are giving seedlings to other farmers as well,” he said.
Fifteen coconut farmers from Bog Walk also received inputs under the programme.
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