The Division of Agriculture has partnered with the Dominica Essentials Oils Cooperative in the providing technical and plant support as part of the Cooperative’s diversification programme.
On Wednesday, the Division of Agriculture handed over 500 Ylang Ylang plants to the Cooperative which will be distributed to farmers involved in the movement.
The Ylang Ylang is an herb used in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and medical problems.
“What we have done is we have assisted them in the propagation of the planting material. They will now go and hand over these plants to the farmers and members of their cooperative,” Talithia Laudat, agriculture officer with the Division of Agriculture, said during a presentation ceremony at the Botanic Gardens on Wednesday morning.
The Dominica Essentials Oils Cooperative is an established cooperative in Dominica, playing a leading role in the production of Bay Oil.
Raphael Corriette President of the Dominica Essentials Oils Cooperative, who was present for the formal presentation of the Ylang Ylang plants, said in recent times, the production of Bay Oil has been faced with challenges which has resulted in a marked reduction of bay oil on the island.
Corriette said the cooperative is now moving to diversify into the production of other essential oils including ylang ylang.
“As everything faces difficulties, Bay Oil is no exception. Bay Oil is now faced with disease and it is time that we diversify into the production of other essential oils that are viable on the international market and Ylang Ylang is no exception,” Corriette said.
He added “We have had difficulty in propagating these plants and we are so grateful to the Agricultural Division for making this contribution in providing these plants for our diversification project.”
Corriette noted that there is a ready market for Ylang Ylang oil hence the decision by the essential oils cooperative to diversify in this area.
“Ylang Ylang oil fetches a good price on the international market and this is why essential oils has made it a point of duty to ensure that in our diversification project we identify Ylang Ylang as one of our main products,” he pointed out.
Dominica’s Acting Director of Agriculture, Ricky Brumant, told reporters on Wednesday that this assistance to the cooperative is part of the Division of Agriculture’s programme to assist farmers in their diversification efforts.
“This is a manifestation of the work of the Division in collaboration with the Essential Oils Cooperative and is part of a wider diversification drive by the Ministry to ensure that we are well diversified on the ground to get income from different enterprises, farmer activities and crop and livestock,” Brumant said.
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Meantime Manager of the Dominica Essential Oils, Garnet Eloi, thanked the Government of Dominica and the Division of Agriculture for the much needed support.
“We are very grateful. It’s a historic moment for our society. Since 2007 we have been trying to embark on a diversification programme and today we are seeing the first phase of it, where the Government of Dominica has come on board and propagated some plants that we could distribute to our farmers to embark on this project”.
The Ylang Ylang plant has been used to boost sensuality and is considered an aphrodisiac. It can also reduce skin irritations and stabilize mood swings.
I trust that the Div. of Agriculture has informed the recipients of the seedlings about the growth pattern of the tree.
Having two trees on my property, please be aware of the fact that the trees tend to grow very tall and the branches are not strong since they break easily with strong winds.
I prune my trees regularly thus allowing them to flower profusely (lovely fragrance) and branch outward, not upward. Easier to collect/pick the blooms.
Raphael Corriette and the Dominica Essential Oil Coop should be commended for continuing to work towards a more diversified agriculture in our country.
If this introduction is successful we could see this plant and its fragrant flowers on several farms and home gardens. Since the commercial value of the flower depends on the yield of ylang ylang oil, it may be several years before we see benefits from this project.
In order to obtain the most benefit from the plantings, the Coop must ensure that the plants are established on farms and areas where the plants have the best chance of succeeding.
Oil distillation and marketing are still some years down the road. Only top quality oil is acceptable to the perfume industry and the aroma therapy market is filled with products vying for our nostrils. As with any new introduction we must plan carefully and at the same time be realistic about the future.
In the meantime may the beauty and aroma of ylang ylang flowers become part of the landscape. Perhaps the flowers could be used for landscaping at inns and hotels catering to the health and wellness tourism sector.
Where them?them big time bloggers 2 comments some thing to put people to work,if it was bad it would be 40+ any way great job guys.
Are you sure you want comments on this ill thought out move? All this sudden interest in agriculture is a farce. For 13 years this government has paid no attention to agriculture or anything productive for that matter. Now in desperation they are busy trying to fool people into thinking that they are working. I hope the farmers do not fall for all this political gimmicks, which are a sure sign that elections are around the corner.
yes it has a wonderful scent in the early morning and late evening.this is the oil use in the making of perfume by many top manufactors .so its a good idea.
This oil is also used in hair growth! good job guys!
I have 2 of these trees. Wonderful aromas at dawn and sunset.