2-day workshop reveals CARDI will attempt to revitalize the coconut industry with EU Funding

​The Caribbean Agriculture Research & Development Institute (CARDI) is expected to implement a coconut industry revitalization program in nine CARIFORUM countries, with funding from the European Union, and support from the International Trade Center.
 
A Group/Cluster Development and Strengthening Workshop, commenced on Wednesday 16th November 2016, and is being implemented by the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in nine CARIFORUM countries. It has received funding from the European Union with support from the International Trade Center.
 
A two-day workshop, geared at revitalizing the coconut industry is now under way, at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Dominica site Conference Room. Coconut farmers, processors and extension officers are participating in the workshop which is facilitated by Beverly Chase and Tristan Alvarez.
 
According to Chase, who is one of the consultants on the project, this focus is on coconuts, because of a decline in coconut supply, although there has been an increase in the demand for coconut and coconut products over the years.
 
“Say from 2008 to 2014, there has been, what you would say maybe about an 800% increase for these products and the Caribbean has seen a decline in the industry, over the past maybe twenty, thirty, forty years, and therefore, there’s a need to revitalize the industry in the Caribbean,” Chase stated.
 
This project is looking at four basic outcomes; strengthening the regional synergies in the industry and developing production capacity, “because in order for us to go forward, we must revitalize the production of coconut”. The project also aims to bring local stakeholders together in each regional territory, in order to develop a plan for the industry, and manage the associated risks.
 
“We want the stakeholders, persons who are present here the farmers, the processors, the oil processors, the water processors and hopefully maybe some financial supporting agencies, we want them to come together and work together in order to develop an action plan to go forward,” Chase added.