Agriculture advisory services will benefit from over VT 7.5 Million this year under a new agreement between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and Vanuatu Skills for Partnership (VSP).
The department handed over a cheque of VT 3 Million to VSP at a signing ceremony.
VSP will deliver a major new training programme that is aimed at improving advisory services for farmers throughout the country.
"The money means that for the first time an integrated programme to meet the training needs of extension officers would be delivered" said Antoine Ravo, Director of Agriculture.
"Our Agriculture Extension Officers have identified their training needs and analysis of these needs has led to a programme to address our highest training priorities."
“These priorities include basic computer skills, report writing, communication skills and, at a more senior level, leadership and project management skills," Mr Ravo said.
He also acknowledged the need for improved technical skills in areas such as, data collection, agricultural biometrician, smart agriculture farming technology for increasing and sustaining production, integrated pest management systems.
Photo supplied. DARD Director Antoine Ravo presenting the cheque to VSP