CIB eyeing a five per cent growth in coconut sector
With the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining placing renewed emphasis on coconut production, the Coconut Industry Board (CIB) is now looking at expanding agroprocessing output and valueadded exports by at least five per cent annually.
The announcement was among the operational plans contained in the Jamaica Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year ending March 2025. To achieve the target, the CIB will be pursuing several activities this year to encourage efficient production and adoption of innovative technologies, and provide ongoing research and support, while creating marketing opportunities for the various products that can be derived from coconut.
In addition, the plan outlined that two training programmes for farmers will be held with a focus on seed nut selection, which are expected to increase germination and production rates by 15 per cent.
The CIB also plans to set 55,000 seed nuts and distribute 19,625 seedlings to registered farmers.
The CIB’s research arm will explore the use of molecular technologies for crop improvement and the development of resilient, robust coconut hybrids. A tissue culture project will also commence in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council.
The CIB also plans to actively pursue business partnerships with industry and other investors, and will conduct 15 climate-smart
training/workshops, research the use of smart water in the Jamaican coconut sector, as well as investigate and demonstrate the application of drone technology in combatting praedial larceny.
The entity will further seek to expand the network for coconut products through the renovation of the coconut shop and purchase 230,000 jelly coconuts. Work will also continue to eliminate or reduce pests that affect the crop and to attract new farmers to the industry.