Transcript
KAREN MAPUSUA: The project focuses on a couple of areas one is around trying to strengthen our regional integration and address some of the issues that are common to all the Pacific countries such as risk mitigation climate issues. We have very similar challenges in market access, logistics those types of things. So doing some work to support strengthening that area and the other area is trying to work on intensification of production. So improving the value that we get out of our coconuts. that might mean getting more coconuts per hectare or it might mean different types of value adding and processing that we can do. It might mean inter-cropping coconuts with other crops or for example cattle. Just looking at ways that we can really make the most of the coconut plantations across the region.
DON WISEMAN: Okay you are looking at Vanuatu and Samoa I think initially, why there?
KM: Vanuatu and Samoa will have the pilot projects under this project. So the project focuses very much on private sector interventions. Vanuatu and Samoa both have quite vibrant coconut industries. There is a solid base there and the European Union and the Pacific Community (SPC) thought that they would be good places where we could test this out. There is enough solid groundwork there already that we have got something to build on. And they are places that we could really get lessons that are replicable across the rest of the region.
DW: Now you put some emphasis on logistics and I guess that includes transport and that has to be the critical element doesn't it?
KM: It is one of the critical elements there is a whole lot of things that come into play in a value chain and transport is definitely one of them. One of our challenges in the region of course with fresh produce is the time it takes us to get our goods anywhere. With coconut we are a little bit lucky it travels well. And if we are looking at value added products. Virgin coconut oil, sugar, other products we might be able to derive then we have got a longer shelf life and it is a little bit easier for some of the transport issues.
DW: You are doing this in conjunction with the European Union they are providing I think $EUR3.5 million, given the scope of the exercise you are going to need more aren't you?
KM: I think we will need more if we want to be able to really support the industry right across the region that will take eventually a substantially bigger investment. But this is really a pilot we are looking to see if through working directly with the private sector, doing some of that enabling environment support that we can really get some traction and see some increases in exports of coconut products. If we can do that in our pilot projects then I think we have got a good case to go and talk to our partners about larger investments into the industry.
DW: When you talk about new products, I guess it has always been an emphasis on copra hasn't it, or mostly on copra? What are you looking at tin terms of new products?
KM: You are right, copra really has been the mainstay, in recent years we have seen growth in virgin coconut oil. There is an interest in the health properties around a lot of coconut products. So other opportunities would be around coconut water, coconut sugar, products made from the stem. So timber products. Products made from the husk, coir, rope those type of things. So there is a whole range of things that could be explored. It will be a little bit determined by the interests of the private sector. But we are looking to try and support innovation and new things coming out of the industry.
DW: These small producers won't be able to do many of those things you were talking about but I guess they can contribute?
KM: That is right it is looking at supporting the supply chain, so how we can help those producers, engage with the processes and value adders. Also looking at what can be done to the farm gate. So in copra production people were producing copra on the farms and then selling the copra on. That is also a possibility with virgin coconut oil for example, or with coconut sugar. So there might be a level of value that can be added at the farm gate. Improving profits back to farmers before it enters into the larger supply chain.
