Indian help for coconut industry revival

[Stacey King]

 

August 12, 2011 | Author PT&I

One of the Pacific Islands’ most lucrative industries of yesteryear, which provided employment to thousands of islanders, is set to receive a fillip.  The coconut industry in the Pacific is in a moribund state because of a number of reasons ranging from competition from other tropical countries and transportation and logistic problems to climate change and changing agricultural priorities.

Several islands have ageing coconut and copra-processing facilities that are in dire need of modernisation and are languishing because of lack of investment. Kiribati is an example. As a result, thousands of tonnes of copra wastes away on the shores of islands and in coconut groves throughout the region. It is a valuable raw material for a number of products including an alternative energy source.

Fiji is on the verge of signing a deal with the Indian Government for assistance to further develop the coconut industry. Department of Agriculture permanent secretary Mason Smith has said,
“India is one of the main producers of coconuts and copra products apart from Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, so it’s important that we latch on to their skills and expertise.”
 


 

[Stacey King]

Ironically Indian made Virgin Coconut Oil is not imported into Australia as quality doesn't match that already coming out of Fiji or Philippines. Indian coconut production is more copra based and not suitable for the demand for VCO in our western countries.