BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) Director Simon Chottu said he has seen an increased youth engagement in the copra sector.

“In terms of youth engagement, I see many youths going into copra where I want to acknowledge them,’’ Chottu said this when he spoke to Island Sun in an interview.

“Maybe because of influencers. Say for example this girl that goes viral with copra on social media. So, it good to utilize social media and a new platform to advocate and promote our commodities to attract the younger generation to engage in productive means,’’ he said.

He said that Youths visited their office and inquired about how they could be agents, apply for funds and revitalize their plantation.

“I see many have sent in their letters. It is good to see youths start to engage in such positive development,’’ said Chottu.

Mr Chottu also highlighted that copra and cocoa production nearly doubled in the first quarter of this year compared to last year 2024.

“I can say that youths have started to realise the importance of copra. That is a good indicator that our youth is eager to wait to jump into this industry to boost it up,’’ he said.

He said he believed more youths would engage in copra and cocoa production while others such as kava, cassava and taro are slowly picking up.

“CEMA yet to promote and regulate. These commodities will bring money into the economy through exports. At the moment we lost money due importation of goods. The only way money comes in is for our goods to go out,’’ said Chottu.

“With youths’ involvement in the industry as we know 60% of the population is youths, when they twist to agriculture it will bring positive news at the end or increase the volume and then money will come into the economy,’’ said Chottu.

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