This is Lakatora, a busy town in the north of the island. It earns its money from Copra. This is the oils extracted from coconuts and then used in pharmaceuticals and beauty creams.

 

 

Preparing the coconuts is a 24 hour operation. This is run as a cooperative and operates for 24 hours a day. Even the kids help split coconuts. The hillsides are covered in plantations and the coconuts are brought in constantly.

 

 

Stephen checking out the drying ovens.

 

 

Todays price for the copra. That is approx 225 Pounds/ton.