Timor Leste (East Timor)

Mature coconuts assembled at the shed

Learning to test oil samples

Timor Leste (TL), the world’s newest nation, has been ravaged by foreign domination, war and bloody violence before, and during, the 1999 Referendum on Independence. It is now struggling to re-establish the basic infrastructure of its economy. Some abandoned coconut plantations in the south-east of the country provide a 'hidden' resource. A TL company is working with local villages to convert this sustainable resource into a real income stream.

Recently the Kokonut Pacific training team arrived to install equipment and teach the DME process. While there were many willing workers, their youthfulness and lack of previous experience at paid employment presented a number of new challenges. Nevertheless, output climbed steadily and the quality of the oil was exceptional. Included in the training was laboratory work to regularly sample and test the virgin oil quality.