The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration has distributed 13,000 coconut seedlings to local farmers as part of a new push to revitalise the country’s coconut industry and restore degraded agricultural lands.

The initiative, launched in partnership with Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 7 Integrated Landscape Management Project, will see farmers across seven islands receive Brazilian green dwarf coconut seedlings.

About 13,000 seedlings were imported to help restore farmland, improve soil quality and increase local coconut production.

During a ceremony at the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre yesterday, Dr Shelley Bridgewater, CARDI’s representative for The Bahamas, said the seedlings had achieved an 85 per cent germination rate. This was higher than the expected rate of 65 to 70 per cent.

Dr Bridgewater said The Bahamas had previously sought to join CARDI's coconut initiative with the International Trade Centre but was unable to benefit because the country was not yet a CARDI member.

She said the opportunity came through CARDI's involvement in the GEF 7 project, which allowed coconut farming to become part of broader efforts to restore damaged agricultural land.

"It is more than distributing seedlings. It is about restoring landscapes, strengthening agricultural resilience, and creating those opportunities for our farmers," she said.

She said the initiative also helped strengthen the Department of Agriculture, with 22 extension and agriculture officers receiving training ahead of the launch.

About 100 people also took part in online training sessions on coconut farming and preparing for climate-related challenges. More training is planned for farmers across the seven participating Family Islands.

A digital platform will also be introduced to help collect information and track the project in real time.

Dr Bridgewater said the coconut nursery, located beside the ceremony where seedlings were distributed, would be handed over to the Department of Agriculture to ensure the work continues.

She said the nursery can be taken apart ahead of hurricanes and used to grow other crops, including citrus.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Zane Lightbourne said the programme aims to revive the country’s coconut industry, which he said had been neglected despite its economic and environmental importance.

He said national coconut production stands at 3,410 metric tonnes, with The Bahamas ranked 70th worldwide. He attributed the low production partly to the age of many coconut trees across the country.

“The coconut is known as the tree of life, yet too long in The Bahamas it has been neglected as a resource," Mr Lightbourne said.

He said this latest initiative gives farmers the opportunity to expand coconut production into agro-processing and value-added products, creating additional income for farmers.

Speaking on a financial point, Mr Lightbourne highlighted that the GEF 7 project came with $5.7m in grant financing and more than $15m in co-financing. 

"We are not just planting trees. We are reviving an industry that provides food security, that prevents coastal erosion, and also beautifies our islands," he said.

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell urged participating farmers to take responsibility for the care and development of their seedlings. He said the initiative’s success depends on proper planting and continued maintenance.

"These seedlings are a starting point, and their value will be realised through careful planting and consistent management in the months and years ahead," Mr Campbell said.

He encouraged farmers to seek technical advice when problems arise and keep records of their seedlings' growth, noting that agricultural development required patience and commitment.

"As we move forward, let us measure success by the health of the plants, by the condition of the land, and by the opportunities created for those who cultivate it," he said.

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture Dr Jason Sands praised the efforts of Dr Bridgewater and her team, saying they had "performed a miracle in getting this project off the ground and getting it to this stage."

He urged the department to maintain and expand the nursery following the handover, ensuring farmers continue to benefit from the initiative. 

"They are the champions here. They are the winners here because this is an opportunity to really help the farmers to establish a a thriving source of income for their farming operations," Dr Sands said.