In Fiji and the Pacific Region, coconut continues to be an important economic and subsistence crop.

Pacific islanders use almost every part of the coconut palm and this is part of a training currently being conducted in the far flung island of Rotuma. 

Around 40 participants are attending the 16^th Whole Nut Processing Training in Juju Village which is being facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Research Division.

The participants are representatives from all seven districts on the island and have been fully engaged in the hands on training. 

Principal Research Officer (Agronomy), Amena Banuve and his support team from the Tree Crops, Organic, and Chemistry Food Processor Unit have been leading the training and have stressed the importance of coconuts and its ability to assist families in earning additional income.

“This is especially on the value addition of coconuts as it will empower them to make use of the abundance of coconut resources to sustain their livelihoods. This training aims to demonstrate to coconut farmers and stakeholders the diverse range of coconut products that can be derived from different parts of the coconut, including the husk, kernel, shells, and water,” explained Mr Banuve.

“Throughout the course of the training, individuals, stakeholders, community-based organizations, women’s groups, and youth groups will be equipped with the necessary skills to engage in coconut processing activities at the village level.”

The training covers the production of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), soap making, magimagi (coconut fiber cordage), coconut chips, and coconut handicrafts. Additionally, the Food Processing Unit Team has developed by-products such as June Plum or commonly known in Fiji as (wi) jam, pineapple jam, and plantain (vudi) chips, utilizing the abundance of wi and vudi on the island.

These products offer an alternative revenue stream and have export potential, especially considering the presence of different fruit fly strains on the island.

Now into the third week of training, participants learnt more on the importance of soil health, how to take soil samples, learnt the benefits of coconut, tree crops varieties and its uses, tree crops cultivation and the cropping system used for coconuts, coconut by products, organic fertilizers, organic food processing – coconut ice cream, pineapple jam, wi jam, coconut candy, making magimagi, virgin coconut oil (VCO) and soap production.

The training will end this week and it is envisaged that the participants will be able to start their niche markets using the abundant resources around them.

-ENDS-

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