Coconut-based mixed farming gaining popularity

Business

MILNE Bay farmers have trialled coconut-based mixed farming which has gained more interest throughout the province, according to the province’s Kokonut Industri Korporesen (KIK) office.
The coconut-based mixed farming uses coconut as a base crop, with food crops such as sweet potato, banana, tapioca, taro, yam and rice planted between the coconut rows.
During a visit to the KIK demonstration nursery at the Bubuletta Resource Centre outside Alotau, KIK coconut development officer Harold Joseph said a model farm was trialled last year using this farming technique.
The technique was introduced to highlight the importance of coconut not just as a food, but as crop planted to complement farming, as a form of food security when copra prices were low.
Joseph said a well-spaced coconut-based mixed farming method would provide an adequate income where seasonal and perennial crops are grown, especially in Milne Bay where there were many islands.
“This concept is good for the islanders and a KIK team will travel to Kiriwina, in the Trobriand Islands, to replicate the idea,” he said.
“The success of coconut-mixed farming depends on factors such as the environment where there is enough sunshine and rain, economical factors where the crops are inter-grown are marketable and sociable factors such as available manpower.
“The returns will sustain the farmer in terms of cropping that provides a constant flow of the economy and provides food.”
Farmer Jack Rarata, from Boianai village, said the technique allowed for food security .

One thought on “Coconut-based mixed farming gaining popularity

  • This is the type of farming technique that should be encouraged and supported.
    It not only provides employment and income generating opportunities for farmers but equally important addresses food security issues.

    The same cannot be said about Oil Palm which has consumed all the fertile land but provides no food security. It also destroys river systems due to extensive use of chemicals. Extensive logging without due care to environment and eco systems is another of those destructive activities that does not address food security issues.

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