Fiji’s first community managed cocoa processing unit was launched in Lutu Village, Naitasiri

The processing unit, consisting of a fermenter and a cocoa dryer, was provided by the European Union (EU) funded Increasing Agricultural Commodities Trade (IACT) project, implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC).
The IACT project has been supporting the recovery of the Fijian agricultural sector following the destruction caused by tropical cyclone Winston. To rehabilitate and invigorate the Fijian cocoa industry, the project installed three cocoa processing units throughout Fiji; the unit in Lutu Village being the first to start operations today.
The project worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to locate key cocoa growing areas and to identify the best locations for the new processing units. The processing unit in Lutu Village will be managed and operated by the Wainaka Cocoa Growers Association, which represents the cocoa farmers from Lutu Village and the surrounding area.
Aside from the cocoa processing units, the project assisted approximately 100 farmers clear their farms from debris left by TC Winston and provided them with training on best pruning practices. Plans to construct a cocoa nursery housing 50,000 plants are well underway and selected farmers are currently undergoing UTZ training to certify them as fully sustainable organic growers.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/regional/12201-fiji-s-first-community-managed-cocoa-processing-unit-launched