Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy [left]

Copra production has declined over the years says Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy.

Dr Reddy says this is due to the lack of re-investments because of poor price and high costs of production and freight.

He says the ministry is working closely with farmers to help meet the demands of copra in the agriculture sector.

“The Ministry of Agriculture through the Crop Extension Services and Research division promotes overall development of coconut as part of a farming system whilst focusing on the rehabilitation of existing field and plantations. This year the Ministry was allocated a budget of $750,000 under the coconut development program for the establishment of 531 hectares of coconut plantation across the coconut growing areas in Fiji.”

The Minister says the high demand for Virgin Coconut Oil locally and internationally has generated a great deal of interest among coconut farmers, landowners, and entrepreneurs.

The Ministry over the years has also provided support to the industry through infrastructure development and technical advisory services.