Caribbean: Development of value added products and intra-regional trade to enhance livelihoods from coconuts II

    Overview

    Summary

    The overall objective of the Action (Alliances for Coconut Industry Development for the Caribbean Phase II) is to enhance competitiveness of small-scale farmers in coconut value chains through more sustainable production and commercialization performance and better local, regional, and global markets integration. This involves the implementation of an integrated and coordinated approach that results in enhanced competitiveness and resilience for the farmers, MSMEs and VC operators involved in coconut and associated crops value chains.

    The proposal takes into consideration the outcomes, lessons learned and experiences gained during the implementation of phase I and aims to consolidate and increase its impact, scale, scope and sustainability. Following ITC’s participatory process, phase II project proposal was officially endorsed by the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and by the CARIFORUM Directorate.

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

    This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Projects

    Context

    Boosting the Caribbean’s coconut sector from farm to fork 

     

    ITC’s Alliances for Action, together with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and partners, has been working since 2015 to mobilize investment, revive the food growing industry, boost the incomes of small-scale farmers and processors in the region.  

    We began with the coconut sector, bringing in needed investment, ramping up the farmers’ productive and commercial capacities, and increasing small firms’ competitiveness. Farmers have learned new crops and are now intercropping with other foods, such as bananas. 

    Coconut farmers, small firms and the region at large have also become economically stronger by tapping into local, regional and international markets. This has boosted their resilience to climate change, diversified their income and will help them survive the economic shock if a single product collapses. 

    Our current project phase replicates this model across the Caribbean where we will continue to emphasize public and private partnerships from ‘farm to fork’: from growing to processing, to marketing and market access. 

    Reviving the coconut industry will increase food availability and the incomes of small-scale farmers and processing firms.
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    Learning a new crop is a challenge. I like the idea of being part of a community – where we can get the information we need and help each other be better at what we do.
    Learning a new crop is a challenge. I like the idea of being part of a community – where we can get the information we need and help each other be better at what we do.
    Jenny Banelino
    A Dominican family farming organization that produces bananas and intercrops with coconuts and other commodities for crop and income resilience.
    A Dominican family farming organization that produces bananas and intercrops with coconuts and other commodities for crop and income resilience.
    Post-COVID, the government is encouraging people to buy from local farmers, to both avoid waste and stop the local economy from collapsing. People are also realizing that what we need to do for resilience is to make our country food secure and see how farmers can get the most out of their acreage with crop diversity.
    Post-COVID, the government is encouraging people to buy from local farmers, to both avoid waste and stop the local economy from collapsing. People are also realizing that what we need to do for resilience is to make our country food secure and see how farmers can get the most out of their acreage with crop diversity.
    Dr. Wayne Myrie
    Coconut Industry Board
    The Coconut Industry Board in Jamaica is responsible for monitoring and informing the Government of Jamaica of the state of the coconut industry,advising growers of agronomic best practices and providing quality planting materials.
    The Coconut Industry Board in Jamaica is responsible for monitoring and informing the Government of Jamaica of the state of the coconut industry,advising growers of agronomic best practices and providing quality planting materials.

    Videos

    Resources

    ITC contact

    William
    Castro Rodriguez
    Email
    wcastro [at] intracen.org