Partners training farmers on producing white copra

EAST New Britain (ENB) is undergoing white copra training – a newly introduced coconut product to the farmers in the province.
The Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) has worked to promote and introduce the product in partnership with the Kokopo district and other stakeholders.
More than 50 coconut farmers from Ramale ward in Kokopo-Vunamami urban local level government (KVULLG) and Korai in the Bitapaka LLG are currently undergoing the training.
The training launched was held on Wednesday.
ENB KIK programme manager Ephraim Tade said white copra training had been a subject for some time now.
“This is the first ever for the country, for KIK to run the white copra training,” Tade said.
“The participants are learning theories and also doing practical (work) as well as teaching them about the building of dryers and the processing the product.
“The two wards of Ramale and Korai in Kokopo will be the trial wards.
“But if we see the positive outcome of the white copra production from these two wards then we will roll out the programme to all other wards throughout the province.
“KIK wants to roll out this project to all the districts.
“This is just the beginning.
“It is possible that ENB can have its first export of white copra by the end of this year.”