THE PARTICIPATORY Approach and Research Program implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MALS) for cocoa farmers in the country provinces is progressing.
That was according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MALS) Cash Crop Coordinator, Roy Timothy.
Mr Timothy in an interview with the Solomon Star on Monday said, the program was making impressive progress for cocoa farmers and they were happy about the training being implemented by MALS.
“We have visited cocoa farmers in Temotu and Central island provinces few weeks ago providing training and doing demonstration for cocoa tree formation and shaping.
“We have seen impact of the training and farmers are so excited with the program following the training and demonstration we did to them few weeks ago,” Mr Timothy said.
Last week, MAL also visited Temotu and Central Island Provinces providing training and doing demonstration of cocoa tree formation and shaping.
The program was part of MAL’s reviving cocoa industry in Solomon Islands. MAL had done first stage of the program last year doing radical pruning. Now MAL is implementing its second phase program providing training and demonstration of cocoa tree formation and shaping.
However Mr Timothy told Solomon Star that he had seen tangible improvement on cocoa farms where the program was implemented.
“What we done for the cocoa farmers we have been seen tangible impact of it.Now we are continuing to assist farmers with technical support and provide training for them.
“This month we’ll continue to visit other provinces to provide training because our aim is to increase the cocoa production in the country to meet overseas demand,” Mr Timothy said.
He urged cocoa farmers in the country who are in need technical support from MAL to visit their agriculture provincial office or his office in Honiara for more advice regarding the cocoa industry in Solomon Islands.
By DENVER NEWTER
