COCOA farmers at Kara village in South Rannogah, Western Province have thanked government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) for its funding support towards the provision of tools to help revive cocoa industry on the island.
About 12 cocoa farmers received basic cocoa tools from MAL’s extension division early this year.
These tools included, bush knives, shovel, polybags and stone files which were delivered to the villagers an officer from extension division.
Kara village is now a pilot project for MAL on Rannogah.
Early this year, farmers on Kara have called on the Government to support them with tools and training which had resulted in the assistance.
The aim is to revive cocoa production on the island and in the province.
Speaking from Kara village yesterday one of the recipients John Lomiti said, the support rendered by MALS has made great impact on the farmers since receiving the assistance.
“For so long, we have been left out from government’s assistance and never at times received assistance from the Ministry although we live close to Gizo.
“With the assistance we got this year it had a great impact on our lives and we value the support,” Mr Lomiti said.
Another recipient Hemiti George said, the assistance shows government’s commitment to the rural people.
“It also proved to us that government is committed to develop the cocoa industry in Solomon Islands.
“Most times government concentrates its support to cocoa farmers in Guadalcanal, Malaita and Makira provinces.
“But with the latest support we are thankful indeed,” Mr George said.
Three of the farmers Simaiti Gilbat, Esoa Magiti and Dilaela Harol expressed their excitement and urged MAL to visit them and provide training.
“We have started our nursery and planting, what we need now is technical support so that we can able to plant our cocoa properly.”
They also expressed the acknowledgement to the government for the support.
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MALS) Cash Crop Coordinator in the Extension Division Roy Timothy told the Solomon Star yesterday they’ll visit Western province next week.
“We just came back from Malaita Province over the weekend and we’ll be visiting Western province next week especially Vella La Vella where one of our cocoa projects is located.”
From Vella the team will also visit Kara to see the progress of work there.
Mr Timothy thanked Kara farmers for showing interest in the cocoa industry.
By DENVER NEWTER
