Drought takes toll on coconut industry
THE LATEST crop to be severely impacted by the ongoing drought affecting the agricultural sector is the coconut.
One stakeholder has expressed concern that farmers cultivating the crop may lose several of their well-established trees that have been standing for more than 30 years due to rising temperatures, a prolonged dry period and water scarcity.
Desrieina Delancy, coconut technician at the Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute (CARDI), painted a grim picture of the effects on the sector while speaking with The Gleaner last Friday, explaining that throughout the nine parishes in which she works with coconut farmers the “drought has been brutal, and the trees are actually dying”.
“I am concerned,” she expressed, stating that the farmers voice difficulty in getting their hands on jelly coconuts due to lack of access to consistent water supply.
“Some of them have actually said it’s the worst they’ve seen,” Delancy continued, adding the more fortunate farmers are highly dependent on man-made ponds they have established on their lands. Despite this, she said there remains difficulty in trying to irrigate a coconut farm which can span 10 acres, for example.
“So, usually what’s happening is that the coconuts that are nearby that pond they tend to do fine, but in terms of being able to keep up with the demand, that has just not been a thing that they have been able to successfully do,” she said.
Delancy recommended that more individuals consider installing irrigation systems for their coconut trees and put a great focus on water management. She added that in any coconut projects to come, teaching farmers how to ensure the industry’s sustainability in the face of climate change-related challenges was paramount.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Coconut Industry Board (CIB), Shaun Cameron, confirmed that the island was experiencing a coconut shortage that had been going on for about three months now.
“The country is suffering from a serious drought. The drought has been going on for over a year now and coconuts need water to produce. When there is drought, although the coconut tree is drought tolerant, it needs water to create the endosperm to fill the coconut,” he explained.
Cameron continued that because of the drought there is a low production of jelly coconut across the island, impacting the availability of coconut water and jelly which is also sold at CIB’s retail outlet, known as the Coconut Shop.
“Once we are able to get access to jellies, we normally provide to our customers. The thing is though, because there is the shortage (for example), one customer who will buy two gallons, they would normally buy four (gallons) now... and people will come early to capitalise on what is available so when the other persons come after a particular hour, there is no water remaining because they’ve bought off the stock at hand,” he told The Gleaner.
According to Cameron, the CIB seeks to strengthen its relationship with farmers to guarantee that it can get a consistent supply of coconuts for customers. Details on the incentives that CIB will be offering to farmers will be disclosed at the company’s annual general meeting.
He went on to say that they also intend to form alliances with farmers to support the expansion of the sector, boost production, and encourage more farmers to get registered.
The number of farmers registered with the CIB has increased from over 430 to now boasting roughly 600. It is the CIB’s hope to increase this figure to 700 or higher.
Additionally, Cameron notes that for customers to have a more comfortable experience, the CIB will be renovating its retail store this year, expanding on the infrastructure already in place. Additionally, it is looking to provide more coconut-based products by 2025 to include treats such coconut ice cream and coconut easter buns.