News in Brief:
– The Lagos coconut agency is leading an effort to revive Eko Coconut Bread, aiming to boost local industry and provide a nutritious product.
– This effort will learn from the challenges faced by past initiatives, create a sustainable supply chain, ensure consumer acceptance, and provide necessary support.
The Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) is spearheading a renewed push to bring back Eko Coconut Bread, a local pastry that once held a prominent place in the city’s culinary landscape.
Olajumoke Ola, the agency’s coordinating director, convened a meeting with key figures in the pastry industry to strategise on how to effectively relaunch the product.
During the meeting, held at LASCODA’s headquarters, she noted the exceptional nutritional value of the coconut bread, asserting its unique qualities. Furthermore, she acknowledged the various obstacles faced by bakers in the region while also highlighting the significant opportunities presented by reviving this initiative.
“Eko Coconut Bread has always been a favourite among Lagos residents,” Ola stated while reaffirming the authority’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for bakers to flourish.
Also, she assured stakeholders that the state government would provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to ensure the project’s success.
Stakeholders express optimism and support
The bakers present at the meeting voiced their appreciation for LASCODA and the administration’s efforts. They shared their operational challenges and offered suggestions for a successful relaunch.
Overall, the stakeholders universally agreed that reintroducing Eko Coconut Bread would be a beneficial move, creating a positive outcome for consumers, bakers, and the state government through LASCODA.
They viewed the initiative as a mutually beneficial endeavour that would stimulate local industry and provide a valued product to the community.
LASCODA is a parastatal under the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, that was established on May 15, 1996. Its mandate is to promote sustainable coconut production in the state because it is a major cash crop.
The organisation has been involved in several key initiatives, including:
- Distributing coconut seedlings to promote coconut plantation establishment.
- Providing training to young entrepreneurs on utilising coconut waste for arts and crafts.
- Facilitating the mass production of coconut bread through partnerships with local bakeries.
- Collaborating with organisations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop the coconut value chain.
One notable effort by past government administrations was the cassava bread initiative. It was aimed at reducing reliance on wheat imports by incorporating cassava flour into bread production.
However, this initiative faced challenges, including inconsistent supply of high-quality cassava flour, consumer acceptance and taste preferences, technical challenges in baking with cassava flour, and price competition with regular wheat-based bread.
Subsequently, analysts believe that the lessons learned from the cassava bread initiative can inform the Eko Coconut Bread revival. Experts opine that to avoid the pitfalls of past initiatives, LASCODA should know that;
- Consistent supply chains are critical.
- Consumer education and marketing are essential.
- Technological support for bakers is necessary.
- Market prices must remain competitive.
