Over 350 farmers end training

 A LARGE group of small-holder farmers have graduated from the Farmer Training Centre of University of Natural Resources Environment (UNRE), East New Britain.

The 357 farmers completed five training courses within four to five weeks. 

They were trained in sustainable livelihoods and decision making, cocoa pod borer management, basic record and bookkeeping and cocoa quality.  

Thirteen other people were trained as accredited trainers in cocoa quality.

Project manager of Vudal Vunapalading small holder farmer group Hoseah Turbarat thanked the World Bank, European Union and National Government for K691,483 to fund the project. 

“To date 331 blocks have been cleared, 269 blocks marked and shade trees planted, delivered cocoa planting materials to 133 blocks of which 102 have already been planted,” he said.  

“The oldest planted blocks are 11 months old and have started to bear flowers.”