There is an urgent need to replace the ageing coconut trees in the Western Division and even greater urgency in establishing coconut plantations in the West.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy while meeting with villagers of the 5 villages, Uto, Waqadra, Vunamoli, Nawaqadamu and Logi recently.

He said that the bulk of coconuts (copra) produced in Fiji was taken mainly from the Northern Division, particularly from the province of Cakaudrove with a large production specifically from the island of Taveuni.

Minister Reddy said the Ministry of Agriculture would provide the needed support to interested farmers who had land available to plant coconut trees and establish a fully commercial coconut plantation, but the onus remained on farmers to show their intent.

“We’ve brought coconut seedlings, Malaysian Dwarf, Hybrid and Fiji Tall, these three varieties are to be given to each village, and each village will be getting 100 coconut seedlings each. Of course, you have coconut trees but it is time that we replace the ageing coconut trees.”

“If you want to have a coconut farm, we are happy to develop it and to give you that level of support, whether you want 1,000 seed nuts or 2,000 or 4,000 seed nuts we will give you all of this at no cost but we want you to get ready, get your land ready and tell us,” said Hon. Reddy.

“In the Western Division, we are desperately wanting to establish coconut farms at the moment, currently, scattered trees are growing around us, we could have 10 coconut trees growing here and another 10 coconut trees growing over there but what we don’t have here in the West are coconut farms or plantations like we have in Vanua Levu, Cakaudrove, and particularly in Taveuni,” he added.

Minister Reddy also shared that the increase in the price of copra, which was at its highest at the moment, was due to the product being exported and this had led to healthy competition in the copra industry.

“So this is the time we need to establish coconut farms, we are now establishing coconut farms in the Western Division and our offer stands for this area and each village, if you establish 5 acres in each village or 10 acres, our offer stands, tell us and we will get you the seed nuts.”

The Coconut Programme had an allocation of $150,000.00 in the 2021-2022 Budget to help promote coconut farming in the Western Division through the provision of seed nuts to farmers, supporting the Ministry’s objective of expanding the establishment of coconut plantations within the division.

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