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South Andros’ SAHMA President Lauds GEF Grant
By Eric Rose, BIS
Apr 16, 2014 - 3:58:00 PM

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SOUTH ANDROS, The Bahamas – South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) President and Project Co-ordinator Mrs. Emily Rahming speaks during the recent Official Launch for the South Andros Coastal Restoration, Land Degradation and Coconut Project, in Long Bay Cays, South Andros. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

SOUTH ANDROS, The Bahamas – President of the South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) said recently that the launch of the South Andros Coastal Restoration and Coconut Project was “quite an expression of confidence in the management and operation of SAHMA.

“We sought to empower members of the community through craft and culture and this project will allow us to take the empowerment further,” SAHMA President and Project Coordinator Mrs. Emily Rahming said after the official ceremony at the South Andros Craft Centre, in Motion Town, Long Bay Cays, South Andros.

The initiative is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded project for the community.

Mrs. Rahming said that SAHMA, being the lead organization, will ensure that the community is made aware that the project is for their benefit and they are expected to take ownership of it.

“I look forward to more cottage industries being created,” she said. “This would be made easy by the mechanization of the agro-processing of coconut.”

Also partnering in the initiative are The Bahamas National Trust, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, Ministry of Education and Technology South Andros High School, Ministry of Environment and Housing Forestry Department, South Andros Chamber of Commerce, South Andros Farmers Association, South Andros District Council of Local Government and Natures Hope for South Andros.

According to GEF, in officially released information, the planning grant seeks to identify the most appropriate type of coconut species – disease resilience and fastest growth rate – suitable for the Bahamas, as well as the identification of species which ensure that the costal erosion does not continue after replanting of the Coconut Palm trees.

The process will identify appropriate manufacturing and management strategies to ensure sustainability after project implementation phase, GEF added. Also, the integration of a component of restoration/rehabilitation of the eroded coastal areas impacted, giving a more focused land degradation component to address the matter of erosion and how it has affected the coconut grove is included.

Further, the project seeks to address this in the areas being looked at for restoration and replanting of coconut trees.

Mrs. Rahming said that quite a large proportion of the grant funds would go towards the purchase of the equipment for the processing of coconut.

“Members of the community will be able to bring their coconuts to the SAHMA depot to be de-husked, grated or have the milk extracted for a reasonable nominal fee,” she said. “They will then go home or to their place of business and use their processed coconut in what ever way they choose.”

Mrs. Rahming said some of the products they would produce include coconut tarts, coconut milk, coconut oil and coconut craft items and souvenirs from the bark and shell of the coconut.

As a result of this grant, she added, South Andros should be able to export coconut products to the other islands and become more economically empowered. The grant allows for the restoration of 300 x 85 feet of coastline and removal of the invasive plant species like the Australian Pine (Casuarina) and the Scaevola.

“Subsequent workshops will also teach participants in the production of coal and furniture,” Mrs. Rahming said. “These benefits together with the replanting of coconut trees will ensure sustainable livelihoods for our people.”




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