W. Samoa Will

Pioneer New

Coconut Process

From R. F. Rankin, in Apia If hopes come anywhere near

expectation, the pilot plant of a

revolutionary new coconut pro cessing factory to be established in Western Samoa could have an incalculable effect in lifting

living standards throughout the

Pacific Islands.

THE plant is being established by the Western Samoan Trust Estates Corporation, the biggest single Samoan producer of copra. It has about 10,000 acres under coconuts.

The new process, using fresh nuts, will yield an oil claimed to be “in comparably the best quality”, leaving a residue of coconut flour ideal for human consumption. The process also allows for production of a num ber of other by-products, including syrup from the milk that is now usually allowed to run to waste.

The pioneer factory will initially handle 18 million nuts a year, accord ing to WSTEC’s general manager, Mr. P. W. Kelly, a New Zealander.

How It Started

How did it all start? The basic process of coconut oil production has changed little in the last 100 years, and this appalled American millionaire Carl Rehmborg, founder of the giant US food processing firm of Nutralite Products Corporation, when he visited Samoa eight years ago.

“Coconut processing is still back in the horse and buggy days”, he said.

“The labour and returns associated with copra will never get the pro ducers out of grass huts.”

Back in the States he put his re search scientists to work, and his team, under the direction of Dr.

Stefan Tenkoff, now president of Nutralite, has worked closely with

Wstec.

Dr. Tenkoff was in Apia in No vember and following a week of dis cussions Mr. Kelly announced estab lishment plans for the new pioneer factory.

The new process will undoubtedly mean more money in the pockets of producers, and it will be watched with great interest.