Training Program Concludes for Cocoa Farmers in North Malaita

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project, successfully completed a Capacity Building Training of Trainers (ToT) for Agriculture Business Producer Organisations (ABPO) last week in Manakwai Village, North Malaita.

The training was attended by 6 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and 7 Young Professionals (YPs), including agriculture extension officers from the Malaita province. 

Over the course of four days, participants engaged in intensive sessions that covered essential topics related to cocoa production, including harvesting, fermentation, drying, and value addition. The schedule included two days of theoretical learning followed by two days of practical field demonstrations.

Participants expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to MAL and the SIART Project for organizing this important training, which they believe will enhance their skills and knowledge in cocoa production.

Starting Monday, the SIART Capacity Building team plans to visit each of the 6 ABPOs to assess their progress and provide further technical guidance to the CRPs and YPs. This follow-up is intended to help them implement what they learned during the training with local cocoa farmers.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock announced a cash grant funding totaling $304,234.00, which was distributed to 28 Agri-Business Producer Organizations across Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira provinces. This funding, provided through the World Bank-funded SIART project, aims to support a total of 66 ABPO projects by 2026.

Malaita Province has the biggest share of the projects with a total of 12 for Agriculture Business Producer Organisations (ABPO) who had already received their first tranche of payments. Benefiting organizations include Kafonaliki Coconut Farmers Association, Green Ag Farm Community Company, Aibilaka Cocoa and Coconut Buying Enterprises, Faufua Cocoa Farmers Association, JED Farmers Association, Ngalifasi Farmers Associations, Taki Farmers Association, Alisuri CCCL, Malaha Farmers Association, Northern Dove Association, Rehoboth Farmers Association and Lamokwa Kindred Farmers Association.

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