Services

Since the early days of IDC, agriculture has been an important economic activity to ensure that our staff are as self-sufficient as possible and where practical to export produce to the main island. 

Today, agriculture is also important in providing fresh produce to the staff and guests of resorts on the outer islands, where it can be difficult and expensive to supply by sea and air.

Since 2012 IDC has been exporting raw coconut oil to Mombasa, where it is used mainly for cooking and lighting. In Seychelles, coconut oil is also used for cooking in some homes and for cosmetic purposes such as for hair care to remove dandruff and sooth dry scalps and skin. Coconut oil is also believed to have health benefits. IDC also sells coconut oil to local buyers, who use the oil to make scented soaps, candle and craft products. 

A new product from Coëtivy that has recently hit the market is the casuarina charcoal. 

Wood is readily available on the island and as Coëtivy is being cleared in preparation for agriculture development, chopped down casuarina wood is turned into charcoal. 

The 4 kg bags of Casuarina Lumpwood Charcoal aim to eventually substitute the imported briquette charcoal.

The traditional balye zig brooms, crafted on the islands, are currently the most affordable option available on the local market. These brooms are known for their durability and effectiveness, making them a popular choice among residents. The affordability of balye zig brooms not only makes them accessible to a wide range of customers but also supports local craftsmanship and the economy. By choosing these brooms, consumers are able to enjoy a quality product while also contributing to the sustainability of traditional island practices and local employment.

IDC has restarted the shrimp farm, that closed in 2008. In 2022, eight ponds were rebuilt where the white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is grown from imported postlarvae. A state-of-the-art processing factory was also rebuilt on the island, where the shrimps harvested from the ponds are processed within hours of being harvested. The shrimps are graded, packed and frozen on the island. The factory can produce both head 0n shell on shrimps or peeled ones. The shrimps are currently sold on the local market. The next phase is to rebuild a hatchery, where the objective is to produce postlarvae of black-tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) which is a higher quality shrimp than white shrimps. IDC will then be able to cater for whole market demand with 2 different species of shrimps.