Coconut is second to cocoa in Ghana - Farmer

CEO of Green Coast Group Consult, Mr. Kwaku Boateng has disclosed that coconut farming is second to cocoa production in Ghana.

He told News Afrika Online’s Enoch Asante Krobea Wednesday Morning that government and farmers have the tendency to create wealth and reduce the rate of unemployment in the country if only resources would be available for the youth to venture into coconut farming.

According to Mr. Boateng, ‘’nothing stands in the way of coconut since it is useful from leaves to roots. All part of the coconut is very useful especially in soap manufacturing, cooking oil production, and adding to the nutrient of the soil for agricultural purposes.’’

He explained also that the shell of the coconut can be used in making ear-rings, candles, hand bags and many other useful products.

The agro-businessman stressed on the need to consider coconut farming seriously and urged every home to consider planting just a tree.

He thrilled that, ‘’ apart from cocoa, coconut is the next ‘tree of life in Ghana.’’

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT

Doctors and Food Researchers hold that eating coconuts are excellent for a person’s immunity. According to them they are antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-parasitic, which also means that they kill harmful bacterial, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Because the coconut fruits possess all these magic nutritious components, if you consume the fruit in any of its various forms; whether in its raw state, its oil, its milk or coconut butter, it helps treat human’s worst and resilient illness.

Some of the deadliest diseases coconut can fight are influenza, giardia, lice, throat infections, urinary tract infections, tapeworms, herpes, gonorrhoea and bronchitis.

Food Scientists say Coconut Oil possess healing properties above and beyond any other dietary oil.

In which ever form you eat coconut; whether you eat the meat, drink its juice, or consume its oil, this product is delicious and rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Doctors say it contains tons of calcium, potassium and magnesium with plenty electrolytes. The water is tested to have same electrolyte levels as human plasma has even been used for plasma transfusion.

Although the most common and popular part of this plant is its fruits, most of its other part are equally medicinal as the fruit. The root of the coconut from now should not be taken for granted as it does same wonders as the fruits.

Food Scientists have proven that one of the parts of the coconut tree that is medicinal is its roots.

Maurafe and colleagues in the Journal of Agricultural Food Science in 1987 confirms that coconut roots provide carbohydrates, lipids, lauric acids, myristic and caprylic.

The coconut roots are able to fight skin diseases and reliefs itching in slit toes. The process is simple. You would just need to take the roots about 2 or 3 inches then boil with water and drink the decoction of the roots of the coconut water. Take one glass every day regularly within 7 days.

Secondly on the roots, it cures fever and diarrhoea. It is easy to prepare. Take approximately 15g of coconut roots and boil it with a glass of clean water for about 15 minutes. Once it is cool, strain the cooking water and drink it. Do this regularly and get positive result.