A pioneering initiative to transform ageing coconut trees into valuable engineered wood products has launched in Fiji, promising sustainable development for the nation’s Northern Division.

Traditionally, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has applied to manufactured goods, but now researchers are extending this philosophy to senile coconut trees, which are over 60 years old and have experienced declining nut production. These trees often stand idle, posing a risk as breeding grounds for pests like the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB).

The two-day steering committee and workshop on "Coconut and other non-traditional forest resources for the manufacture of Engineered Wood Products” held at Hot Springs Hotel in Savusavu, Fiji, recently aimed to address these issues by repurposing senile coconut stems into engineered wood products.

The workshop, which kicked off on November 5, 2024, with key stakeholders, concluded with a field trip to observe ongoing trials in nearby facilities on November 6.

Commissioner Northern and chief guest, Mr Uraia Rainima, expressed gratitude for the developmental focus on the Northern Division.

Engineered Wood Products have the potential to drive economic growth and create a unique market, as over 50 per cent of the country’s plywood is imported.