Copra makes K126mil-plus yearly

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
THE coconut industry on average contributes more than K126.5 million per year to the economy, vice-minister for Agriculture and Livestock Henry Ame says.
He said the industry contributed to the national economy through the employment of rural people and the revenue from exporting copra, crude coconut oil, copra meal and virgin coconut oil.
Ame attended the launching of Kokonas Indastri Koporesen’s new website on Wednesday in Port Moresby. He said KIK estimated that given the annual contribution by the sector to the country’s economy, 70 per cent was contributed directly to smallholder copra producers.
“In 2015, the coconut industry ranked fourth in terms of revenue generated by major agricultural exports after palm oil, coffee and cocoa by contributing about five per cent (K101 million),” Ame said.
“Oil palm contributed 57 per cent (K1.086 billion), coffee contributed 24 per cent (K450.3 million) and cocoa contributed 13 per cent (K243 million).
“According to the 2011 population census, 464,328 households are engaged in coconut activities to either generate income or as food to sustain their livelihoods.
“The industry employs an estimated 20,000 people either on full-time or part-time basis and is associated with other service industries such as transportation, construction, manufacturing and banking services.
“The average crop yield and the genetic potential yield of the improved planting materials indicate that productivity by smallholder farms is significantly below the genetic potential yield levels.
“For example, current average yield is 900 kilograms per hectare, which is 300 kilograms per hectare or 33 per cent below the genetic potential yield.”