Resource: Fiji Times 

Geraldine Panapasa Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE introduction of new technologies on Taveuni will boost copra production as government aims to ensure maximum returns are driven back to the economy.

This follows the announcement of a whole nut processing plant in Mua — one of many projects outlined by the Department of Agriculture. Permanent secretary for Agriculture Ropate Ligairi said the construction of the processing facility would open a window of opportunities for farmers, women and youths on the Garden Island.

Resource: The Hindu Business Line

Kochi, Sept. 23:  The Coconut Development Board has entrusted a project with SCMS Biotech Research Institute to develop a low-fat cream from tender coconut.

T.K. Jose, chairman, Coconut Development Board, expressed the hope that the product will be a boon to coconut growers.

Resource: THE TIMES OF INDIA

Coconut farmers in the district are seriously contemplating to raze down their standing crops, frustrated over the minimum prices offered for their produce. They also don't see any prospective of the prices going up in near future. One of the growers, N Palanisamy from Melur, who has more than 1,000 trees in his farm stopped harvesting coconuts for the last few months due to low prices. "What is the point in harvesting when the workers demand Rs 15 to 20 per tree when a coconut is sold for just Rs 1.50? I may end up just paying the labour costs of harvesting, so I left the coconuts on the trees for last four months," he rues.