More consultations will build Agriculture sector: Minister
Stakeholder consultation will help build the agriculture sector, says the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Tomasi Tunabuna.
While visiting the Coconut Millers cooperatives yesterday, Mr Tunabuna said the ministry would look into different agriculture sectors and provide technical support and equipment to boost the industry. “Coconut has been a source of food, protection, medicine, employment and income and many other positive traits for generations,” Mr Tunabuna said.
He encouraged the company to continue its good work so that the coconut industry could be successful again.
Fiji Coconut Millers Pte Limited chairman Raj Sharma said last year they recorded a profit of $3.5 million which was a huge progress compared to previous years. 65 percent of their products were exported overseas and 35 percent were sold locally.
Progress
In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Coconut Millers is also providing free coconut seedlings as part of its Coconut Planting Programme.
“We have an established workforce of 25 with 15 contracted copra cutters from nearby communities including women and youth,” Mr Sharma said.
“We started with virgin coconut oil in 2016, coconut cooking oil in 2019 and coconut wa¬ter in 2022. A feasibility study is also in progress on Coconut Coir, in partnership with Fiji High Commission India and Coir Board – Government of India.” He said the coconut oil was available in all major supermarkets in Fiji.
Coconut Millers has a crushing capacity of 12,000 tonnes per annum.