Georgetown: In support of coconut and coconut products’ development locally, the Guyana Marketing Corporation recently hosted a Grand “Coconut Exposition” at the Guyana Shop, Robb & Alexander Streets, Georgetown. The objective of this activity was to create greater awareness and promote the market opportunities that exist for coconuts and coconut based products and to showcase the diversity of the fruit.
Haydoc Thompson, Marketing Officer, GMC explained that persons who visited the exposition would definitely find out more about coconut and discover what is going on in the industry in Guyana.
From among the products displayed by 20 exhibitors, the Coconut Expo showcased a wide and diverse variety of products including a variety of craft pieces, a wide cross section of food all made from coconut or with coconut as the main base, displays and presentations by sections of the Agriculture Ministry.
The exhibits all combined to sensitise the public on the development and the marketing of the products which at present exist in Guyana. Participants in the expo were drawn from across the country from Pomeroon to Linden, and from Georgetown. Patrons were able to see and appreciate the extent of what could actually be done with coconut and the existing possibilities for doing more. “Persons would definitely have a greater appreciation for coconut, after leaving this exhibition,” Thompson observed noting that “persons weren’t even aware that for some of the products or the food they use on a daily basis, coconut is one of the main ingredients, or is used as the base for those products. The facial reaction of persons visiting the exhibition today has been spectacular.”
He however, acknowledged that while a lot of work has been done with agro processors towards exporting coconut products, there is still room for improvement.
Peter Rodney from Number 9 Village, West Berbice, was influenced by a friend to take up craft work using dried coconut shells. His base outlet is located outside the Guyana Post Office Building in Robb Street. While this daily business is struggling, Peter keeps on hoping for better markets, and takes advantage of exhibitions and fairs, and trade shows which bring better sales. He specialises in costume jewellery and other pieces.
Kenneth Nelson of the Guyana Arts and Crafts Association feels that the pieces made from the coconut shells are very authentic, durable, and not susceptible to termites like other wood-based products. He said the material is easy to work and could be formed into almost anything. The stall hosted by him displayed earrings, bracelets, necklaces, coin bags, ashtrays and pen holders among other items. Nelson feels that there should be more local support across all sectors of the local industries, including arts and craft. He pointed to the pride of Guyanese in wearing and using imported products while the locally made ones languish on the shelves until they are bought by tourists.
Cassandra Mangru, representing Sterling Products was willing to explain that the bottled coconut water is stored frozen and sold, both locally and overseas, and that the coconut based ice cream flavours of the Igloo line are doing well.
Stacia Nelson, a research technician at the Guyana School of Agriculture research facilities displayed products done in the agro processing facility. They included coconut flakes, to be used in various ways for cooking such as toppings for cakes and puddings, and thickening stews. The coconut butter can be used like any other butter in cooking and baking she explained. It can also go further and be used on the skin as well as for making coconut oil.
Camille of Home Styles products displayed coconut dishes such as the various pones using coconut mixed with cassava, carrot and pumpkin. There was also sugar cake, barfi, and the well loved mitai.
Joan from Linden representing Ceasar’s Products offered the packaged grated coconut, no preservatives added, which has a three- month shelf life if it is stored frozen.
Bernice Trotz displaying the products of Phoenix Enterprises displayed and offered samples of coconut based drinks which included wines and other liquid products. The drinks are all coconut water based and included fruit mixes without the use of preservatives to maintain the natural organic taste of the coconut.
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. The industry has been identified as one of the sectors with a large potential for further development. The coconut has been established as one of Guyana’s key non-traditional crops and is the third largest crop in Guyana after rice and sugar.
The increasing importance of coconut is reflected in the increase in production from 10,725 metric tonnes in 2011 to 17,104 metric tonnes 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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