School curriculum includes cocoa farming

 STUDENTS in secondary schools, vocational centres and technical colleges can now learn cocoa farming to help them sustain their livelihoods.

A cocoa curriculum launched last Friday at the PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute in Kerevat, Gazelle district, East New Britain, is an educational strategy to enable students to know the importance of the crop and its significance in rural communities. 

The curriculum was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion.

It will be taught at institutions where agriculture and farming courses are offered.

Minister for Higher Education Research Science and Technology Malakai Tabar said at the launch that the curriculum was a way forward for families who were still struggling with their cocoa farms since 2006 when the cocoa pod borer (CPB) disease affected production. 

He said CPB had greatly changed the cocoa status of ENB and discouraged many farmers. It also affected farmers in other provinces.

Tabar said the curriculum would give students a better understanding to assist their parents on how best they can manage their cocoa farms.

“The curriculum would help our young people to understand their responsibilities towards their cocoa farms,” he said. 

“They can assist their families change their attitude towards cocoa farming and share knowledge.”