47-year-old tops class

The National Education

By PETER WARI
FORTY-SEVEN-year old Andrew Andakit from Dei, Western Highlands, was the recipient of the 46th Highlands Agricultural College (HAC) dux and principal’s award last Thursday in Mt Hagen.
Andakit was among about 130 graduates that received post certificate diploma in tropical agriculture, certificate in tropical agriculture – farming and certificate in agribusiness operational skills.
The journey of the father of eight was exemplified by many wonderful experience in the agricultural sector and demonstrated resilience, forging ahead with his passion for agriculture.
“I have learnt many things at the college and it will help me to be one step ahead than I was before,” Andakit said.
“I am a proud husband, father and a leader in my community and my achievement will be a story to others who loves to touch the soil.
“Many see agriculture as something that will dirty their fingers and opt for office work.”
He thanked Dei MP Westley Nukundj who sponsored his study.
“It was my dream to be an agriculturalist, I love to work the land, it is fun, I came a long way involving in agricultural activities,” Andakit said.
He said after completing grade 10 at Fatima High School in 1989, he was selected to the Popondetta Agriculture College where he graduated in 1991 and worked as an extension officer with the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) the following year.
Andakit said CIC faced financial issues and he, including others, were retrenched.
He returned to the village, involved in church activities and later did part time work with CIC.
“In 2014, the Western Highlands government engaged me as Dei rural development officer (coffee) with a grade 11 position,” Andakit said.
“While working, I thought, it would be good if I enrolled at the Highlands Agricultural College to further my knowledge and applied.
“I was accepted and with the help of Nukundj, I enrolled last year, and today, I am ready to go back and put into practice what I have learnt.” He said the college was committed to developing a culture of high expectations, nourishing the development of creative and accomplished agriculturalist.