| Over the past few years, Guyana’s coconut has been in vast demand,Huarache Shoes For Men, especially on the international market, and to improve this, the way forward is fertilizing coconut trees.This was according to Adrian Mangar, an official of National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), during a recent interview with Kaieteur News.Earlier this year, Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, placed specific emphasis on the coconut industry. He said that measures will be put in place for major improvements.Mangar said that NARI, an arm of the Agriculture Ministry, has been working to sensitize farmers to the various technologies and strategies that they can use to improve coconut production.He explained that although there are many people who make a living by planting trees and selling coconuts, not many of them take time to groom and take care of the trees like they would other plants. Mangar said that coconut trees should be fertilized, and that this is the way forward for the coconut industry.“A not-fertilized tree would give you about 20 to 25 nuts per bunch. This would be like nine to 10 bunches per year, and sometimes not all the nuts stay on,Womens Nike Air Max 270 Coral Stardust Shoes,” he explained.Mangar said that should farmers fertilize their trees,Cheap Jordan Shoes For Sale, their production would be more. “If farmers do fertilize their trees, they could get as many as 48 nuts per bunch,” Mangar stressed.Just recently, coconut farmers from the Pomeroon,Anthony Stolarz Jersey, Wakenaam, and Mon Repos were involved in fertilization trials where NARI sought to prove that fertilizing coconut trees will prove beneficial, and will boost revenue.Minister Ramsammy had explained that Guyana’s coconut contain one of the thickest kernel in the world.It is because of this that the Ministry of Agriculture has opted to make the coconut industry a priority for this year (2013).It was also stated that over 100,Nike Air Max 2018 Mens Shoes,000 water nuts are required weekly to supply just the local market.Apart from being a very important crop in sustaining livelihoods in many communities across the country, coconut is once again regaining its importance in agricultural development in Guyana.During last year, Guyana’s coconut industry raked in $480M from its exports. Coconut is currently the third largest export crop behind rice and sugar.The coconut industry in Guyana has been identified as one of the sectors with a large potential for further development.The byproducts of coconut are also taking a strong stand in Guyana’s exports. Just recently, a European group proposed that Guyana supply 32,000 litres of coconut water per week for markets in Europe.This has been recorded as a huge opportunity for local coconut farmers,Air Max 97 For Sale Cheap, and is expected to contribute to the overall growth of the sector, especially since it was made clear that this initial order could see an increase.For the exports to further skyrocket, the production of better coconuts is key, thus, Mangar stressed that local farmers need to familiarize themselves with the importance of fertilizing and taking care of their coconut trees, as they would any other crop.He said that this would ultimately lead to better byproducts.Some products that are made locally using the various components of coconut include roofing tiles made from the husk, extra virgin coconut oil, coconut based wine, coconut butter, coconut flakes, ornaments, jewelry, and kitchen utensils. |
