Farming improvements for coconut farmers in the South Pacific If you want to grow good coconuts, you’ve got to have good soil. So when Savai’i Coconut Farmers Association (SCFA) realised their members had problems with soil quality, they applied for...

Farming improvements for coconut farmers in the South Pacific

If you want to grow good coconuts, you’ve got to have good soil. So when Savai’i Coconut Farmers Association (SCFA) realised their members had problems with soil quality, they applied for a grant from Fairtrade, and are growing better coconuts as a result.

The €6000 grant from Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand’s Producer Development Fund meant the association could train their members on soil fertility to improve their harvest. They also provided the farmers with toolkits which included wheelbarrows, bush knives, gumboots and other farming essentials.

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SCFA became Fairtrade certified in 2013, a first for the small South Pacific island of Samoa. Since then, the farmers are working more together to address common challenges. They have also been able to negotiate a better price for their coconuts. SCFA’s buyer, Krissy Co, processes the coconuts into coconut cream (‘Savaii popo’) for export to Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa.

The market for coconut cream is increasingly competitive, so Krissy Co. is currently exploring new sales opportunities for these small-scale farmers. Find out more about sourcing Fairtrade coconut cream from Krissy Co: krissy@ahliki.com

Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand’s Producer Development Fund is for small producer organizations in the Pacific who wish to improve their access to international Fairtrade markets. Contact psr@fairtrade.org.nz for more information.