COCONUTS AND NEW ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHTED BY THE COUNCIL
In a bid to develop new coconut farmers the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council (FCLC) facilitated a training.
It also meant upskilling existing growers who rely on coconut plantations for their livelihoods.
More than 40 smallholder farmers from the Central Division, including women, women with disabilities and youths.
Jiu Daunivalu, FCLC chief executive officer, said that the council was pleased with the inclusiveness of the workshop and the positive outcomes, including the formation of a new, Fiji Niu Producer & By-Products Association (FNPBA).
Mrs Daunivalu said Litia Naitanui was elected President of the newly formed FNBPA, which targets smallholder farmers, women and youths who rely on coconut trees to fully support or compliment other sources of income for their livelihoods.
Ms Naitanui, who is also President of Fiji Disabled Women (FDW) Rewa Branch and a VCO Production and By-Products Trainer said: “Our FDW slogan is ‘Live Full and Die Empty’.
“We believe in sharing our knowledge and skills while we are alive.”
The two-day workshop, Get More Value from Coconuts - for sustainability of income, health & nutrition, food security and livelihood of farming families in Fiji, was conducted in co-ordination with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) at Navua, on 30th – 31st July 2020.
It was supported by EU and IFAD, under the Farmers Organisation for ACP Countries (FO4ACP) programme, through the Pacific Islands Farmers Organisation (PIFON).
MOA Research & Extension Senior Officer, Ratu Solomoni Naisau, conducted training on uses and benefits of coconuts, including Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) production, value-added VCO by-products, demonstrations of best practices, the right tools to use, including the use of a coconut pressure machine.
“Participants shared their knowledge about traditional and modern practices, using the coconut, from the leaves to the roots, for food, shelter, fuel, decoration, medicine, desiccated coconut and much more,” said Mrs Daunivalu.