IATP goes to the mainland

THE University of Natural Resources & Environment’s (UNRE) much-acclaimed Integrated Agriculture Training Programme (IATP) will for the first time be held outside the New Guinea Islands (NGI) region.
For the last seven years, the training targeted only the New Guinea Islands and has received support from NGI provincial governments following its positive impacts on the lives of farmers and the communities.
Next week, 45 participants in Maprik district, East Sepik province, will participate in an IATP training of trainers (TOT) workshop for three modules.
They will go down in the programme’s history books as the first participants of IATP training on the mainland.
A team of four including IATP head trainer Owen Ngala and lead trainers Ray Roberts, Apelis Moveh and Koniel Batil will conduct the trainings.
Mr Ngala said the training in Maprik would initially involve three modules: sustainable livelihood; land use and soil fertility management; and basic record and book keeping.
He said it was important to start with these three as they “open up” people’s minds on how they could sustainably use their resources, including land, despite the growing population.
The training also equips participants with the knowledge of budgeting and proper record keeping should they wish to run their own small businesses.
IATP’s expansion to Maprik has been made possible through an undertaking by UNRE to rebuild the former Sepik Agriculture College and develop it into its Sepik Central campus.
This arrangement eventuated with funding and support from Maprik MP and Commerce and Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris.