NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil, and even coconut shells can be put to good use. From our kitchens to our skincare products, there’s no shortage of ways to use a coconut.
22 farmers are getting the chance to grow more of them right here at home.
The farmers walked away with coconut seedlings during the official launch of the Coconut Landscape Regeneration Initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.
Dr. Shelly Bridgewater, Bahamas Representative for the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, or CARDI, says more farmers across the country will soon benefit.
Dr. Shelly Bridgewater – Representative, CARDI
“Today, we had 960 seedlings being given out to farmers within the New Providence area. Moving forward, we’ll be distributing within the next two weeks to Grand Bahama, followed by Andros, and then Abaco.”
Then there’s already a market for what these trees could produce.
Just take a drive through Nassau, and you’ll likely spot someone selling fresh coconut water on the side of the road.
It’s a market farmer Michael Wilson is hoping to get into.
Wilson, who started farming in the 1990s, received 25 seedlings and is now getting back into the industry after retirement.
Michael Wilson – Farmer
“ It means a lot. I’ve always been interested in this variety, and they’re heavy producers, and you can see it’s a big industry here in Nassau now…”
Also walking away with 60 seedlings was Delaney Goodfellow of Goodfellow Farms, who says he has big plans for the plants.
Delany Goodfellow – Goodfellow Farms
“ Coconut is a staple of agriculture in The Bahamas, not only for the sight of it, but for the tourist attraction and of course like we had heard today, all the nutritious benefits. We hope someday, to be opening Goodfellow Farms again…”
Coconut husks can be used in gardening, while the shells can be turned into handcrafts.
However, beyond all those uses, the initiative also aims to bring damaged agricultural land back into production.
Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Jomo Campbell says that’s an important part of building a stronger agricultural sector.
Jomo Campbell – Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources
“This initiative brings land rehabilitation and agricultural development together, and aims to improve soil health, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen the resilience of our agriculture sector…”
