Farm Support Association – Vanuatu

The Centre has received watermelon seeds and has distributed the seeds amongst 5 graduates and 15 young farmers for village projects in shared gardens.

“The Rural Training Centre will assist the young farmers on the establishment of the watermelon plots in addition to open pollinated seeds work,” said Peter Koah, the Director Associate of Farm Support Association – Vanuatu.

“For farmers it’s very challenging, the women are earning good income between 1,500 VT to 80, 000 VT from selling vegetables but there are no proper recording system in place to document their income and expenses,” said Peter Kaoh the Associate Director of Farm Support Association – Vanuatu.

“Staff visited 5 womens’ group in North West, North East and Central West Malekula to distribute vegetable seeds along with Dipel and seedling trays to support women during the off season vegetable production.”

Managed by the Vanuatu Organic Certification Committee, the training covered Pacific Organic Standards, Operational Guidelines and Vanuatu Organic Standards.

“East Malo cocoa growers had 43 farmers participate in a PGS audit which was carried out and corrective actions were recommended following the Vanuatu Organic Standards,” said Peter Koah, the Associate Director of Farm Support Association.

“A training on Peer Review with cocoa organic practices was also carried out at Naviova Village East Malo.”