Tropic Fronds Guidelines for Growers - Soil and Fertility Management

Collecting nuts must take place by hand after they have fallen to the ground. There is no need disturb the structure of the soil.

The use of external inputs of any variety is not permitted by Tropic Frond Oils. Forst soil is of a very diverse nature, where soil nutrients are naturally balanced and microbial life for production of humus is left almost completely alone.

Introduction of livestock is not permitted by Tropic Frond Oils Ltd. All landholders are advised in agreement that stock must not be grazed in these areas. This is detailed in the ‘Coconut Growers Group Agreement’.

Tropic Fronds Guidelines for Growers - Pest, Disease and Weed Management

Pests, diseases, and weeds shall be proactively managed by any combination of the following:

· Naturally occurring biological control agents and the protection of predator habitats.

· Limited slashing to gain access to gain access to fallen nuts.

Tropic Fronds Guidelines for Growers - Water Management and Conservation

East New Britain has a tropical climate with significant rainfall all year round. Water management is not deemed necessary even within the dry season due to high rainfall and naturally good water carrying capacity of the soil.

Tropic Fronds Guidelines for Growers - Sustainability and Biodiversity Aspects of the Production System

Tropic Frond Oils Mgt of the Growers Group shall aim to ensure protection for regionally native bush areas by promoting aspects of the practice of Wild Harvesting. The aim is to enhance biodiversity with Grower’s land, enabling “ecosystem services” to enhance the productivity and sustainability of the organic farming operation and the surrounding environment. This will be monitored in the annual grower audits.

Coconut Palms must be varieties indigenous to the local area and at least 20 years old and there is to be no intensive ground-story intercropping between coconut palms.

Management inputs are generally limited to the hand slashing of grasses and small shrubs around the bases of palms to permit the collection of fallen coconuts. Please note the following:

• Clearing of mature forest trees is not permitted.

• Clearing of any species close to waterways is not permitted.