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Diversification of the economy to modern agricultural practice, with its value chain has been identified as a viable alternative to the mono-product of crude oil as a source of national revenue. As fate would have it, Nigeria is abundantly blessed in this regard. It is therefore, expedient for state governments to identify their areas of natural endowment and core competence to key into this new economic paradigm. This is more so imperative in this period of economic recession.
That is precisely what the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel has demonstrated with his recent commissioning of the coconut oil refinery at Mkpat-Enin in the state. It is part of the activities earlier slated to mark his second year in office. That singular move shows that he is much in tune with the immense nutritional, industrial, job- and- wealth creation capacities of the plant called coconut. As he noted during the ceremony coconut has as many as 380 uses to mankind.
But he lamented the situation that has some misguided youths in the state that destroyed the seedlings of the coconut plantation meant to provide the raw materials for the refinery. If only they knew what they stand to gain from the project by the time is completed in the next 18 months! Unfortunately too, many Nigerians, especially those at the riverine and coastal areas where coconut grows in abundance seem not to be aware of the plant’s immense benefits to them, individually and collectively.
For instance, coconut (Cocos nucifera) is the most important of cultivated palms and the most widely distributed globally. Little wonder that it is referred to as “man’s most useful tree,” “king of the tropical flora,” “tree of abundance,” “tree of heaven,” and “tree of life.” These are not mere exaggerations. Indeed, there are several reasons coconut attracts such glowing descriptions.
The coconut industry is considered a million- dollar earner that provides livelihood to one-third of the total population in the Philippines. This must be the reason why the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has been setting several programs to enhance the uses of coconut. In the same country, coconut is known for its buko. It is often used for salads, halo-halo (crushed ice with sweetened fruits), sweets, and pastries. It provides extra income to housewives and even young entrepreneurs. It generates jobs for out-of-school youths. During summer, young children earn income by selling buko pie”.
As at today, many natural products such as foods, drinks, fibres, building materials and chemicals are made from coconut. Specifically, history has it that the Portuguese first reported coconut’s use as food in the Caribbean area prior to 1526. On the food security and nutritional front, aside from coco meat, the kernel can produce flour (which can be used as a wheat extender), desiccated coconut, coconut milk (gata), coconut chips (very popular in Hawaii), candies, and bukayo are all obtained from coconut. It can also be a main ingredient for pies, latik, and copra.
The meat from a coconut is very high in protein. It contains all the essential amino acids that the human body needs. This makes it a great natural source for complete proteins. Coconut meat is also commonly used as a supplement in cattle feed. It can be sliced or shredded or shaved. The resulting thin pieces of coconut can be baked or micro-waved.
Another popular product from coconut is the buko juice, also known as liquid endosperm. The juice is promoted as a water therapy to cure renal disorders. Other uses of coconut water include vinegar, coconut wine and production of the chewy, fiber-rich nata.
Important also is for Nigerians to be aware that coconut water is used as Sports Drink. It has a lot of electrolytes in them that are perfectly balanced for an electrolyte replacement sports drink. The water can be fermented to make a jelly-like food product called Nata de coco .This is most commonly sweetened and served as a candy or dessert.
Fresh coconut water is sterile and high in electrolytes and it has been used as an emergency replacement for saline in IV’s. The oil in the coconut fries the coconut like a potato chip but with no need for a fryer. Just add salt and enjoy. It can serve as a passable substitute for vegetable shortening in many recipes.
Coconut milk is a mixture of coconut water and coconut meat (usually taken from a young coconut). This can be used as a dairy substitute. Coconut tree sap sugar has a distinctive flavor and can be used as a substitute for regular cane sugar in any recipe. For industrial uses, coconut oil is used as bio-diesel as fuel in diesel engines. Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine and actually designed it to work on vegetable oil.
The fibers of a coconut husk can be woven into durable rugs and mat, for making biodegradable chairs, very strong ropes and to prevent further erosion and to promote plant growth. It then biodegrades without a trace. Other uses include for making scrubber brush, as armor, figurines and dolls and activated carbon for filters. Coconut shells can be hollowed out and used as houses for small pets like hamsters, birds and hermit and making uncomfortable bras! Coconut shells are the best way to make the sound of a galloping horse as in the film, Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail. Coconut oil can be used as a low power sunscreen. If rubbed on the skin it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of about four times the common skin cream. It is even used as a diaper cream.
For Nigerians to benefit maximally from coconut there should sustained mass public enlightenment, direct funding of researches on it from government and the private sector, as well as foreign direct investment as the Akwa Ibom governor wishes to do. With abundance of coconut across several states it would improve on food security, nutrition, employment as well as wealth creation.
Ayo Oyoze Baje
