Coconut and copra sectors see revitalization efforts in Solomon Islands and Tanzania

Agricultural initiatives are underway in the Solomon Islands and Tanzania to revitalize the coconut and copra sectors through plantation rehabilitation and value-added processing.

In the Solomon Islands, farmers in Malaita Province are calling for a nationwide campaign to rehabilitate aging coconut plantations to boost export volumes. Henry Kwaifi, a copra farmer from East Fataleka, noted that while the industry provides essential socio-economic support for rural households, logistical bottlenecks and transportation issues hinder production. He has urged the national government to provide better resources and transportation support to the Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) to assist remote communities.

In Tanzania, the Ministry of Agriculture is working to transform the coconut sector from raw produce sales to a commercially viable industry focused on value addition, such as virgin coconut oil. Following directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) has launched a program to distribute 5,000 improved coconut seedlings to farmers in the Lindi and Mtwara regions. The initiative also includes training farmers in modern agronomic practices and replacing old trees with more productive varieties.