9 September 2025 – Aligning with Vanuatu’s National Coconut Strategy (2016– 2025/2026), which aims to achieve food security and boost economic prosperity by replanting one million coconut trees to rejuvenate old plantations, PRV/VB officially launched a new Coconut Nursery on 9th September 2025 at PRV. The initiative marks the beginning of a long-term agricultural program designed to boost local coconut production and ensure sustainable crop planning.
Due to the ongoing challenges posed by the CRB beetle in Santo and Efate, it was considered vital to establish a local nursery in Malekula, as Biosecurity restrictions no longer allow the transfer of seedlings from other provinces.
As part of the initial phase, 3,300 coconut seedlings have been planted, with an additional 3,000 seedlings to be added each week. These will be distributed across Bushman’s Bay and Norsup in the coming years. This effort represents the first step in a comprehensive five-year development strategy focused on meeting future demand through improved forecasting and land-use planning.
Officials involved in the project say that the five-year plan will help determine exactly how many coconuts are needed each year and how much nursery space is required to support that number. The goal is to create a scalable and sustainable coconut production model that benefits both the environment and the local economy.
The Bushman’s Bay site was chosen as the first replanting for its fertile soil, favorable climate, and proximity to water sources, making it an ideal location for both nursery operations and field planting.
As the nursery grows and the first planting phase is completed, the team will begin refining the five-year roadmap with lessons learned from this initial rollout. The nursery will also expand operations to include cocoa seedlings and, as it develops, will provide coconut and cocoa seedlings not only for PRV operations but also for like-minded farmers who are committed to replanting and securing Malakula’s agricultural future.