Guyana to import 50,000 coconuts from Costa Rica, aims to become its main producer

Guyana: The Ministry of Agriculture of Guyana is all set to import 50,000 high-yielding coconuts from Costa Rica with a vision to advance its coconut industry.

This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during an outreach to residents of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, and Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara. While addressing them, he stated that he would make all his efforts in order to help farmers get different varieties of coconut so that they can improve and increase their industry.

With a vision to revive the coconut industry, the government has already introduced around 60,000 Brazilian Green Dwarf coconuts into the country. These coconuts from Brazil are known to yield between 500 to 700 milliliters of water, which is twice the amount of water found in Guyana‘s coconuts. 

While expressing his desire of introducing new types of coconut into the country, Minister Mustapha stated that it is a very lucrative crop and they want to become the main producer of coconut so that they can not only resuscitate its industry but also can lead the agriculture sector of the country towards growth and development.

For the same, he also encouraged farmers to take advantage of the opportunities available in the agriculture sector. He also urged them to establish farmers’ groups within the various villages so that the resources, when distributed, could meet more persons.

The Minister further asserted that whenever they talk about agriculture, it means that every citizen must have equal access to the opportunities that the government is making available to the farmers.  He continued to say that it is his mission to reduce food imports and develop agriculture sector of the country so that every person could have the access to food.

The Minister also stated that he is committed to reducing the region’s large food import bill by 25% by 2025 in order to promote sustainability and boost the local economy.