Dear Editor – According to the International Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) there is a growing demand for virgin coconut oil on world markets, especially if used as a nutritional food supplement.
The Solomon Islands is blessed with an abundance of coconuts but I query to what extent virgin coconut oil is being made to meet, hungry external demand?
To the best of my knowledge what coconut oil production is being done locally is on a small-scale and promoted by a private-offshore company.
If my assessment of the current situation is correct then the DCC Government, in terms of its broad based investment policy, should seek to invite other investors to set up larger scale operations that will facilitate the production of virgin coconut oil to meet international standards, aid the economy and put money into the hands of the local farmers.
Virgin coconut oil can be acquired with an hour of opening a coconut but international marketing requirements demand quality standards that only investment in plant and equipment will satisfy.
With such a valuable, local resource as the coconut, the potential for virgin coconut oil could become a real money earner for the Solomon Islands.
Frank Short
www.solomonislandsinfocus.com
