Solomon Islanders hope 'tree of life' will lead them out of troubles

HONIARA, Sept 4 (AFP) After nearly four years of brutal civil war, Solomon Islanders are hoping the "tree of life" -- the celebrated coconut palm -- will lead their troubled nation to recovery.

"World Coconut Day" was marked here Tuesday, making a change from the drama of conflict which has prompted the arrival of an Australian-led intervention force to restore law and order.

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The event saw islanders pay tribute to the bountiful tree, a prominent part of daily life in Pacific nation, through activities highlighting the versatility of the coconut palm.

But behind the festivities lies a serious goal of reviving the collapsed coconut industry, kick starting the stagnated economy and promoting the message: "Our wealth is in our palms".

Organiser Moses Pelomo was optimistic that a coconut-led recovery would be a way forward for the Solomon Islands.

"If we use our hands to extract whatever produce we can make from this plant, our economy will recover in a very short time," Pelomo said.

Prior to the collapse of the coconut and copra (coconut husk) industry in the Solomons, largely due to the ethnic tensions that engulfed the nation, it provided some income for up to 80 percent of the population.

Minister for Commerce, Industries and Employment Trevor Olavae said the coconut palm had been a major cash crop that brought significant foreign exchange earnings each year.

He said the industrys collapse four years ago had severely affected the lives of thousands of people and badly dented the economy.

It is estimated that up to 60,000 households in a country of 500,000 people were employed in copra processing prior to 1999.

In 1998 and 1999, rural farmers in Solomon Islands earned between 18 and 21 million Solomon Island dollars (5.0 million US at that time).

The government now hopes to revitalise the coconut and copra industry that, despite low international commodity prices, still has the potential to contribute significant foreign exchange earnings for the country.

"With proper investments into appropriate areas, there is great potential that we can increase the nations earnings of between 36 million and 50 million dollars annually by 50 percent," Olavae said.

The minister also recognised the role that the intervention force in Solomon Islands has played in providing a better environment for the revival of the industry.

"With the improved law and order situation, it starts to create a conducive environment for all of us including our development partners to revitalise and improve the industry," Olavae said.

Throughout the day, Islanders took part in demonstrations and competitions including a coconut husking and grating team relay race and a copra-making race..

Special guests judged a range of traditional recipes, carvings and handicrafts were displayed and a Master Coconut and Miss Coconut crowned.

Demonstrating the versatility of the coconut, a standard car engine ran on coconut oil fuel and a diesel generator fuelled by coconut oil provided the power for the public address system used throughout the day.

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