
Kiribati
Enhancing Inclusive Sustainable Economic Development through Coconut-sector Development
Overview
The project supported the development of the coconut-sector strategy and finalization of the roadmap to engage smallholder coconut farmers along the coconut value chain, with the identification of commercially viable opportunities to add value along the chain. Coconut has a central role in the diets of Pacific peoples and is vital in contributing to food security, health promotion and sustainable livelihoods. There is new interest in coconut-related products such as virgin coconut oil, coconut oil for electricity generation and transportation, coconut water, coconut sap sugar, timber products and toddy, among others.
This project fostered income generation for smallholder farmers and improved their livelihoods through value-added coconut products while contributing to inclusive, sustainable economic development per the national development strategy
Beneficiaries
Smallholder coconut farmers
Partners
Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives; UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji
Budget
$315,000
Duration
January 2018–December 2020
Key Results
Results highlights
• The virgin coconut oil processing centre on Butaritari Island has been formally launched and operationalized, enabling farmers to produce value-added coconut products.
• More than 60 smallholder farmers are involved in virgin coconut oil production as a result of the coordinated efforts The National Coconut Sector Development Strategy, after undergoing a development and refinement process, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kiribati and disseminated.
• The Coconut Sector Development Subcommittee that will oversee the implementation of the strategy has been established and is operational.
Lessons learned
Regular results-oriented reviews by the project Board were found to be useful in improving resource allocation and utilization. Owing to those reviews, the Board suggested adjusting existing activities and including a new pilot activity for the installation and operationalization of a virgin coconut oil plant, which would bring tangible and scalable benefits to the target population.
Way forward
The Coconut Sector Development Subcommittee is established and operational to oversee the implementation of the strategy. Building on an assessment of the pilot virgin coconut oil production plant, the Government and UNDP will develop a strategy for the sustainability and scaling up of the project.