The government of Vanuatu has embarked on an ambitious plan to plant one million coconut trees by 2026.
According to the plan, 100,000 coconut trees will be planted annually until 2026.
The Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Antoine Ravo says coconut trees have withered as a result of cyclones and there is a need to plant new ones.
“There are many coconut trees but they are not good for producing fruits as the plants are old and the number of plants have decreased after Cyclone Pam,” said Ravo.
A new coconut sector strategy will identify gaps and provide causes of action to help revive the sector.
Ravo says matured coconut trees that are old and do not bare fruits will be cut down and used as timber.
“Coconut timber milling trial at Malekula PRV plantation has already started and we are aiming to cut down old trees and continue replanting,” he said.
Ravo says the Department of Forestry will provide technical assistance in the coconut milling process.
He also said that DARD aims to do more research and produce dwarf coconut plants so that they are able to withstand cyclones and windy weather.
“With research, we are aiming to produce as many dwarf trees as possible and trees which can produce more fruits compared to what we have now.”
“Dwarf trees will be able to survive cyclones as there has been really strong cyclones in Vanuatu recently,” he said.
Ravo says they are also looking at incorporating climate change and environmental issues into the coconut sector development.
“We also aim to conduct environmental impact assessment on pilot areas to determine extent of degradation on soil fertility,” he said.
The 2007 agriculture census recorded a very low rate of replanting or planting of new stock of coconut.
The national stock currently comprises of very old and non-producing stands, the majority being well over 70 to 80 years of age.
The highest numbers of young coconuts were planted between years 1977-1986 with an average of 291,568 young trees per year.
The increase is attributed to the coconut development program funded by the European Union during that period.
Coconut seedlings are expected to be distributed next month.
Photo by: Nickless Lingtamat, DARD (Lucas Mill operator milling coconut trunks)