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Pomeroon women capitalise on economic prospects of coconut-based products
By Rehanna Ramsay
With a growing demand for coconut water and coconut –based products, the women of Strong Hope Canal Community in the Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two are capitalising on its economic prospects.
The Strong Hope Community Coconut project was highlighted during a recent tour of the Pomeroon, by a team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, (MPI).
The project, handled mainly by women of the Lower Pomeroon River, has been a source of sustainable income for several families in the community.
Using simple tools, organisers supply coconut water, oil and other coconut-based commodities.
Kaieteur News understands that through the development of a coconut producing facility, the community group has been positioned to supply marketplaces and local merchandisers with the items in a bid to generate income for the people and the community.
According to Pomeroon –based, Peace Corp volunteer Alyse Blackburn, approximately three hundred coconuts are harvested each day.
The women of Strong Hope /Success are capitalising on economic prospects of coconut based products
A sample of the bottled coconut water from Strong Hope /Success community projects in the Pomeroon
“From the harvest, coconut water is extracted and a portion that is left back to dry, in which the people make oil, jewelry and other coconut – based products to be sold.”
She noted that in addition to providing employment for women in the community, the project also endeavors to enlist in the workforce out-of-school youth providing job opportunities for them.
“We want to unite and promote the artistic abilities of students as well.”
Blackburn disclosed too that as part of the venture, the group has also delved into crafting handmade jewelry; crafting coconut jewelry and rings from the seeds of the Awara trees found along the Pomeroon River.
The Peace Corp Volunteer noted that the rings come in all sizes and are sold at various gift shops including the Marriot Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
Jewelry crafted in the Pomeroon are sold at the Marriot Hotel in Kingston, among other places. (Photo credit Guyana’s Jungle Jewelry)
“The rings are sold for about $1000 each; the longer you wear it, the natural oil on our hands polishes it and makes it shinier!”
According information posted on the Facebook Page Guyana’s Jungle Jewelry through the creation of the gift items; the people of the Pomeroon are hoping to create a link between their community and the rest of the world.
Blackburn said that through the undertaking, Pomeroon natives are being pushed to explore their creative side.
With big businesses taking over and no longer looking to the smaller communities to provide coconuts, the Strong Hope Community Coconut project, whose main source of income depends on producing and selling coconuts, has been looking to means of sustaining its livelihood;– they’re growing and supplying their own bottled coconut water.
In an effort to uplift this entire community of coconut farmers from the economic hardship the community had decided to take their future into their own hands.
All proceeds from ring sales will go towards the advancement of the Strong Hope and Success Community, towards raising money for a community-based coconut water/oil venture.
In the Pomeroon alone, over 20,000 acres of land that can be cultivated with coconuts, producing an estimated 140 million nuts per year.
During the inaugural Coconut Festival in 2016, it was reported that in the Pomeroon alone, a $7 billion enterprise waiting to be tapped; and this does not include the value-added industry of the coconut, which includes coconut oil, craft, and coconut water. The worth of the $7 billion value-added industry is estimated come from the sale of coconut water.
It is estimated that the demand for coconut water grows at between 50 and 100 per cent annually. Globally, the coconut water industry is worth US$1 billion, and the product is on its way to becoming the world’s most popular drink.
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