Government in full support of building feasible, sustainable cocoa industry

Agriculture minister Saboto Caesar has pledged his government’s support for the any organization or investor dedicated to building a feasible and sustainable cocoa industry in St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

The minister, speaking on Tuesday at the general meeting of the Cocoa Producers Co-operative Society Limited (COPCO), also cautioned that there should be a unified movement, in any attempt at a locally run business.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines is in dire need… of a diversified agricultural sector. The company in the form of Armajaro came to St Vincent and invested what they said to be sums in the millions. They have decided to leave and it is for us to lead the charge in the creation and establishment of a home-grown and an indigenous cocoa industry,” Caesar told farmers and other potential stakeholders, at the meeting, held at Frenches House in Kingstown.

“Now at this point, I want to note that it is the policy of the government that we continue to propagate, that wheresoever the private sector can become involved to do something, we are not going to try to hog the show.

“At this very early stage, there are many opportunities out there for the private sector; there are many opportunities out there for COPCO, there is no fermentation centre or building in St Vincent and the Grenadines, there is no major drying house; these are two significant opportunities for the private sector and for COPCO.

“There is no chocolatier in St Vincent and the Grenadines making chocolate bars that I am aware of, but I am aware that there are several persons who may become interested.”