Coconut Industry Board Looking to Boost Agro-Processing

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) is working to strengthen agro-processing to meet the increased consumer demand for coconut by-products.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CIB, Shaun Cameron, told JIS News that while there is significant demand for coconut water and coconut oil “we want our agri-processors, our small to medium-sized farmers to look at other value-added coconut products that can add value and diversity to the industry”.

“The direction that the Coconut Board is focusing on now is agro-processing – how to get cottage industries up, how to get small to medium-sized farms producing,” he noted.

The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in a recent statement noted that Jamaica can benefit from the global resurgence in the demand for fresh and processed coconuts.

“The dynamics in the coconut market offer tremendous opportunity to agribusiness industries in Jamaica and the Caribbean. There are huge opportunities for thousands of smallholder farmers to raise incomes and profitability by connecting them to local, regional and international value chains,” the statement said.

Mr. Cameron said coconut growers and agro-processors are benefiting from the CIB’s research and technical support and more players are investing in the sector.

“We were able to help revive and sustain the coconut industry by working with our farmers and our partners, applying proper research technology and good agricultural practices to come up with methods of managing and maintaining the spread of lethal yellowing,” he said.

The disease is no longer a threat to the industry as farmers are applying the best practices that have been developed over the years.

“They’ve come up with hybrids that are somewhat resistant to lethal yellowing due to the research. I know the industry is looking to grow. We have more [persons] getting registered as coconut farmers because they’re looking for long-term investment, something that will [benefit] them after they retire. The beauty of the coconut orchard is that it can be passed on from generation to generation,” he said.

For further information on how to get into coconut farming and the processing of coconut products, persons can reach out to the CIB via their website at coconutindustryboardjm.org or call 876-926-1770.