Government plans to supply green coconuts to Year 1 and 2 students in the not too distant future.
The plan is similar to the Weetbix supply to students by the previous government, says Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sakiusa Tubuna.
“There are approximately 8000 Year 1 students in Suva and 4000 bu nuts will be required,” Mr Tubuna said.
“That’s in the Suva region alone; imagine the demand to cater for this.”
The assistant minister said this when he opened a coconut bu (green coconuts) orchard workshop conducted by the Pacific Community (SPC) at Vakacoko settlemnet in Naboro on Thursday.
It was first such workshop in the country and the Government plans to have more.
The goal of the workshop is to produce more young coconuts to supply to the Suva/Nausori markets.
Mr Tubuna said there was a need for such initiative because of the rising market demand and decline in the product.
“A survey we recently conducted states 5000 bu (green coconuts) nut are needed on a daily basis,” Mr Tubuna said.
“While discussing with youths in Suva, they mentioned the need for more supply of drinking coconuts as they are limited to what they have in their backyard.
“Many youths make a living in selling bu nuts but some end up on the wrong side of the law by stealing them.”
SPC soil scientist Dr Rohit Lal conducted the workshop, with emphasis on the benefits of coconut orchards and planting methods.
Fifty coconuts were planted as a demonstration by Dr Rohit on a half-acre land in Vakacoko settlement.
Community elder Rupeni Geka said they were thankful for the initiative.
“The workshop definitely broadened our knowledge about coconuts and its benefits compared to what we already know.”
With the supply of seedlings from SPC, the community now aims to plant 1000 coconut shoots a year.
