An aggressive 10-year intervention program will be implemented by the Agriculture Ministry in an effort to develop the coconut industry.

This will be done through strategically placed schemes.

Minister responsible Dr. Mahendra Reddy has advised farmers, stakeholders and the public that the government intends to realize the industry’s full potential.

Dr Reddy says the ministry will focus on providing aggressive intervention in the coming 10 years through strategies.

Strategy 1 will involve a strengthened and coordinated aggressive replanting campaign (1.5 million trees in the next 10 years with 150,000 trees planted per year) in order to address 50% of the current 40% senile trees.

The second strategy will focus on the continuous provision of skills-training on Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and other high-value by-products to Farmers/Entrepreneurs/Small Micro-Enterprises (SME’s)

The third strategy will involve the strengthening of extension work on Coconuts through the recruitment of Commodity officers, which has seen the appointment of one officer already, strengthened awareness campaigns on Coconut, providing a conducive policy environment to encourage joint ventures and promote local and foreign investment.