Coconut, citrus, cocoa and coffee industry to be further boosted in Region Two

– Agriculture lands to be expanded

Efforts to expand the coconut, citrus, cocoa, and coffee industries are part of a government-led initiative to transform Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) into an economic powerhouse.

Key initiatives include expanding agricultural lands, modernising infrastructure, supporting farmers, and establishing value-added facilities to enhance productivity.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a presidential outreach in Charity on Thursday, outlined these plans while engaging with farmers and residents.

According to him, investments poured into the region’s agriculture sector are reaping positive results, and more resources will be pumped to expand production.

For instance, approximately 1,000 acres of coconut are under cultivation in the Pomeroon. Around 4,000 high-yielding coconuts and 10,000 citrus plants have been delivered to the Pomeroon to boost productivity.

“In addition to the 5,000 acres that is already impoldered, we are going to further impolder 2,500 acres more the coming months, that is 7,500 acres of land that will be placed in active production,” President Ali explained.

In addition, the cocoa and coffee industries are being revived and renewed, with 10,000 cocoa plants to be delivered for increased productivity by next year.  

An additional 300 acres of land is required to cultivate these plants, with the government to offset related costs for clearing of lands.

Furthermore, a production facility will be established to ensure that production is directly linked to market access.

President Ali also revealed that $550 million was invested into dredging the Pomeroon River and is seeing positive results, as flooding has been prevented and production has increased.

“I want to congratulate our farmers too, because they are also making use of this investment. We’re seeing the expanded farming production, to the extent that we have almost brought the market, almost 1,000 tons of plantain from the Pomeroon. These are historic numbers,” he expressed in admiration.

All of these developments in agriculture are not accidental but are deliberate efforts to align the region with regional and international markets, according to the head-of-state.  

A massive $1 billion port and wharf facility will be developed in Charity, which will position Region Two as an international hub for export processing. A processing facility will also be established, to ensure international requirements are upheld, allowing farmers’ produce to be sold profitably.

Moreover, the government aims to develop a recreational hub at the Charity front, transforming it into a tourism product that will grant Charity another stream of revenue generation.

“As you have seen, we have started but the people must be onboard too. We have to be disciplined; we have to be structured. We have to want to be in a better position,” President Ali urged.

Meanwhile, over the years, 127u kilometres of drainage and irrigation canals have been constructed to prevent flooding in the region, while water pumps have been installed to protect farmlands. In addition to agriculture, significant developments are also underway in health, education, power, infrastructure, housing, water, and other essential services.