|
Acting Director Diar Encouraged Implementation of Coconut Processing Programmes during the International Coconut Community Ministerial Meeting
Acting Director of the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM CSSTC) Diar Nurbintoro stressed the importance of increased cooperation between NAM CSSTC and the International Coconut Community (ICC), which could lead to major changes in coconut production in various countries and millions of coconut stakeholders. The statement was delivered during the ICC Ministerial Meeting (MM), took place on Tuesday to Thursday, 24th to 26th November, 2020.
Delegates from 20 ICC Member Countries were virtually present at ICC MM.
Acting Director Diar in his voice proposed coconut processing programmes in the field of coconut milk powder, coconut oil and soap and a training programme for coconut product quality management.
“The NAM CSSTC together with the ICC can also play a key role in enhancing the coconut industry’s technology, creativity and productivity – while not ignoring our mutual member countries’ demands and contemporary challenges of international development,” he stated in a presentation on Wednesday (11/25).
“In spite of various external or global challenges, NAM CSSTC committed to continue to work with the ICC. I therefore pledge all the support my organisation can give you and your people,” added Diar.
The Samoa Prime Minister, Sailele Malelegaoi, highlighted the importance of increasing coconut productivity in view of the strong demand from the market and the significance of production subsidies.
Some critical issues therefore need to be tackled, such as plant diseases and bad agricultural practices, as well as the lack of resources for small farmers to grow crops.
In addition to the participation of delegations coming from ICC Member Countries, the meeting also included presenters from the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Centre de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan (CICY), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).
|
