A  World Vision project to help Malo and South Santo coconut growers gain Australian Certified Organic (“ACO”) status has been successful but the funding has ended. Last year I was asked to help them provide guidance to the 600+ growers to become self-sustaining regarding their continued ACO accreditation status. A critical stage was to present our plan for the Malo and South Santo Coconut Growers Association to the grower representatives. This involved a short boat trip across to the island of Malo to the south of Santo. Approaching Malo – photo left, not much visible but bush.

The day went well and on the follow-up meeting on 25 May, the plan was accepted, six committee members appointed and membership applications and fees are being collected.