Seven coconut plantations in Gulf in need of restoration, says corporation

SEVEN coconut plantations on about 5000 hectares of land in Gulf need to be restored, according to the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen.
Coconut development officer James Maora told The National that the plantations were at Maira, Huiva, Maivera, Araimiri, Epo, Ogomabu and Baimuru.
“They are rundown plantations and mostly occupied by landowners,” he said.
“Some of these landowners have shown interest in developing these plantations and have approached me to assist them rehabilitate these plantations for cocoa and coconuts.”
Maora has liaised with officers in the Gulf department of agriculture and livestock for an assessment of these plantations.
Maora said farmers from Araimiri, Haihavu, Maira and Maivera in the Ihu district were interest in growing cocoa and coconut.
He said the Epo Plantation was occupied by several landowners.
He said the seed gardens established in the plantations decades ago remained idle.
Some coconut trees have been cleared for gardening.
He said this was the same at the Baimuru and Ogomabu plantations.