18 Jul 2016

Vanuatu to plant 50,000 coconuts

5:46 pm on 18 July 2016

Fifty thousand coconuts are to be planted in Vanuatu as part of a National Coconut Strategy launched this morning by the government.

Coconuts on the seaside in Vanuatu.

Coconuts on the seaside in Vanuatu. Photo: Copyright: shanin / 123RF Stock Photo

The nine year plan from the Ministry of Agriculture aims to revive the country's coconut industry after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Pam last year.

Agriculture Minister Matai Seremiah speaking at the launch this morning said an initial distribution of 50,000 coconuts would go to cyclone affected communities in Shefa and Tafea provinces.

As part of the strategy awareness programs would be carried out throughout the country to get communities involved in replanting coconuts.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs