Fiji to Revitalize its Coconut and Copra Industry

Government and key stakeholders of Fiji met recently to discuss strategic investments and revitalization plans for the country’s coconut and copra industry, reports The Fiji Times on May 30.  The meeting was facilitated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives and Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Manoa Kamikamica, and attended by Assistant Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna and executives from consumer goods company Punjas Group.
While noting global demand and price for copra had nearly doubled in recent months, the Ministry of Trade stated that Fiji’s supply of copra had struggled to meet the surge, largely attributed to senile trees, limited replanting efforts in past decades, competition with other crops like yaqona and high transport costs from outer islands. The Agriculture Ministry though informed that coconut seedling distribution was underway through research stations and rural outreach programs and that it was working to integrate increased demand into its upcoming budget planning and is exploring expanded support for farmers, including provision of dryers and tools to facilitate harvesting, 
In 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture had released a new early fruit-bearing coconut variety – Mua Hybrid Coconut – at the Mua Research Station in Taveuni on Vanua Levu as part of its efforts to boost coconut production for local and international markets.  That variety, the latest of the six hybrids developed, was expected to be distributed to farmers as part of efforts to revamp the industry.  The Mua Hybrid is an early fruit-bearing variety at 3-4 years – compared to Fiji Tall variety that bears fruit at 5-7 years; it is medium height reaching 10 meters in 20 years (compared to Fiji Tall that reaches 20-25 meters); and it has a better yield advantage over Fiji Tall as it recorded 1.4 tons/hectare of copra.