ROBINSON
Marlene McPherson, Gleaner Writer
LYSSONS, St. Thomas:
DESPITE SEVERAL discouragements, Eric Robinson has held on to his dream to produce and market coconut oil.
Many persons had told him that oils were not healthy and as a result advised that he did not produce it, but this had not deterred him.
"I do not believe coconut oil is bad because my parents use to boil and use it. Both died over the age of 85 years. They had no cholesterol problems," he said.
Mr. Robinson, who cultivates coconuts on his St. Thomas farm had lost several plants to the lethal yellowing disease but with the assistance of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), he was able to source enough coconuts to make coconut oil just over four years ago. Mr. Robinson has since replanted several crops and anticipates that a harvest will be ready within the next three years.
According to him, making coconut oil is very simple. He said that having identified the nuts, the kernel is taken from the shell to be milled. Water is then added to
the milled coconut before placing it in a
container and extracting the cream. After several hours the oil begins to suspend in the water and at this stage, all that is left is to do is to skim the oil, heat it and then allow it cool, according to Mr. Robinson. He said at this point the product is left undisturbed for a day or two to allow all sediments to settle and after this the oil is bottled, labelled and sold.
At present, Mr. Robinson employs 10 persons to assist with the production of coconut oil. "The workers and I get on reasonably well," he said, pointing out that he has made several improvements in his production within recent times.
"This year the demand is outstripping supply," he told Farmers Weekly, adding that he markets the produce individually in one-litre bottles and in cases of 24. He currently sells between 70-100 cases of coconut oil each week.
