THE MAJESTIC PEREGRIN ON CORLANS ESTATE

THE MAJESTIC PEREGRINE HAWK

2015 Cocoa Season Harvest

The 2015 cocoa season has started with a first picking of approximately 120kilo of cocoa which are emptied from bags into a large tray which will serve for sweating and drying.

 

 

Cocoa beans are gathered into one large heap before being covered and left to sweat.







Consumer products

To derive real benefits the beans must be converted to consumer products. The real benefits to be derived, and profitability is at the consumer end and so the goal is to ensure that consumer products are sold by this small estate.

 

 

Predial larceny

Predial larceny is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture in Trinidad. Corlans Estate is not spared, losses have been experienced with ground provisions, cocoa and bananas. Cocoa trees planted in 2009 have started to bear, but it is difficult for farmers to supervise their estate 24 hours per day 7 days a week.

Sale and products

Historically, Trinidad cocoa beans are exported, and this includes beans from Corlans Estate. The beans from the Estate are dried in the traditional manner, that is open to the sun, and sold to an agent of the Cocoa and Coffee board of Trinidad and Tobago.

Harvesting

Cocoa planted in the year 2009, was harvested in 2014, and the two acres of cocoa trees yielded approximately 100 kg of cocoa. It is anticipated that production will improve as the trees mature. The estimated harvest for 2015 is expected to be in the region of 400kg of cocoa as approximately six acres are now bearing trees.

Cracking pods and removing beans

Pods loaded on pickup

 

 

Other maintenance

This includes clearing the drains during the dry season so that the land drains easily during the rainy season minimising the issues of black pod disease. Excess water can result in the death of young trees and can be just as destructive as no water.
 

Basic tools, spade, cutlass, luchet, weight lifters belt