Potou Women's Marine Producers Management
West New Britain boasts a thriving palm oil industry, with most oil palm plantations located on coastal plains. Unfortunately, this has led to the degradation of water quality, potentially impacting the health of ecosystems, particularly the local fishery.
Potou Women Marine Producers Management is a group of over 100 women who have been producing virgin coconut oil for the past decade. Their coconut oils and soaps are not only fully biodegradable but also sustainable resources with minimal environmental impact. These products offer an alternative source of income for residents in the region, alleviating pressure on palm oil resources and local marine ecosystems. The start-up grant will assist Potou Women Marine Business Management in constructing a workspace and acquiring the necessary equipment to enhance their production capabilities.
This will enable the business to efficiently coordinate the production of coconut oils and soaps, increase output, raise awareness about the benefits of coconut products, and explore other sustainable initiatives to protect the unique marine environment of Lolobau Island which is a formalised Local Marine Management Area (LMMA).
Potou's business model focuses on empowering female producers, providing them with economic opportunities that may have been inaccessible due to geographical and cultural barriers.
By raising awareness, the local community will develop a deeper appreciation for the environmental and health benefits of utilizing coconut as a sustainable alternative to palm oil.
Moreover, coconut oil and soaps offer various health benefits, and the business aims to expand its production to capitalize on these advantages using environmentally sustainable methods. In the future, they plan to enter the biofuel market to further reduce our ecological footprint.
