IN a bid to reduce Fiji’s $20 million vegetable oil import bill, the Government has introduced coconut husking, deshelling and hot air dryers at the Copra Millers Fiji Ltd mill in Savusavu.
While commissioning the new equipment, Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy said it would cushion the workload on the 120,000 people who depend on copra for an income.
He said the machines would assist in producing food grade coconut oil for human consumption.
“Fiji imports 17,000 tonnes of vegetable oils valued at $20 million and by introducing coconut oil as cooking oil, we are targeting to reduce the imported oil by 5 per cent,” Dr Reddy said.
“The Fijian Government through the Ministry of Agriculture is fully committed to rehabilitation and strengthening the coconut industry. Part of this work is to vigorously promote replacement planting of senile plantations and to strengthen the marketing of coconut-based products for domestic and export markets.”
Dr Reddy said to address marketing issues, the Government, in consultation with the Coconut Board of Fiji, facilitated the formation of Copra Millers Fiji Ltd in 1985.
He said existing coconut trees planted by farmers from the past, had declined in yield.
“There is an urgent need to replace these old palm trees. So I urge you all to replace and replant the existing senior plantations now so that your future generations can benefit from your efforts of today.
“If properly utilised, the coconut has the highest economic, value among the palm family.”
