(Guyana Chronicle) THE Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), in collaboration with the Guyana Coconut Industry Developers Co-operative Society Limited, held its fourth annual CARDI Day at the Georgetown City Hall, where the issue of coconut waste disposal was addressed with Mayor Ubraj Narine.

Jhaman Kundun, the officer-in-charge at CARDI stated that green coconut shells pose major disposal and environmental problems for the City. He added that GCIDCO (coconut co-op) is actively pursuing, with the municipality, a business venture to address the 175 tonnes weekly waste water coconut shells in Georgetown.

“We have a European funded, the EU-ACP funded regional project where we are addressing the coconut industry… we want to build back the coconut industry not only in Guyana but throughout the region and its becoming a major sub-sector within the agriculture system,” Kundun explained.

He added that there was a large boost in coconut usage, proportionally and equally with the improving production in usage of coconut. There was also a generation of a lot of waste of the coconut which was causing a lot of problems in Guyana and other Caribbean countries.

Kundun further stated that EU-ACP brought in a coconut shredder to demonstrate that coconut waste was no problem but an opportunity which can be embarked on to create a business, as coconut fibers were used all around the world to make mattresses, car seats and other items.

He noted that the coconut fibers can also be beneficial for agricultural purposes since it can be used as mulch and compost.
Mayor Ubraj Narine stated that per day Georgetown produces over 20 tonnes of coconut waste; hence, the City Council will work closely with CARDI and GCIDCO to pursue the EU-ACP Regional Coconut Project Industry Development.