Hard-working farmers throughout the Shepherds group of islands, will have the opportunity to exhibit their local produce at a Mini Agriculture Show in June.
The senior officers of the Extension and Technical Division of the Vanuatu Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) have decided that Emae island will host the Mini Agriculture Show.
Shefa Provincial Agriculture Officer (PAO) Willie Iau, confirmed that, the main theme for the Mini Agriculture Show is ‘Grow Organic, Eat local and Think global’.
“According to the DARD Business plan 2019, the Mini Agriculture Show on Emae is part of the preparation towards 2020 National Agriculture Festival on Tanna”.
“Emae was chosen to host this Mini Agriculture Show because the island was declared ‘organic island’ by the chiefs of this island, two years ago.All the crops are grown organically,” Mr Iau said.
In 2018, the Department of Agriculture gave Emae farmers planting materials of crops such as yam, kumala, taro, kava, manioc and vegetables.
“The Mini Agriculture Show will evaluate the level of production for farmer and find out whether they can supply high value crops all year round because of the seasonality of crops,” Mr Iau said.
Farmers from the islands of Tongoa, Tongariki, Emae, Makira and Mataso will also participate in the mini agriculture.
“We want to bring all farmers together so they can also have dialogue with each other and share their experiences,” Mr Iau said.
As part of the preparations of the Mini Agriculture Show, DARD will deploy a team to the island of Emae to provide awareness to local farmers.
The awareness will motivate the farmers to plant short-term crops and vegetables to showcase during the Mini Agriculture Show.
The Shefa Provincial Agriculture Officer said the Mini Agriculture Show, will provide an avenue for more awareness on the National Agriculture Festival that will be hosted by Tafea province in 2020 as well as informing the farmers on new policy directives and strategies of the department
“Farmers around the Shepherd islands are expected to receive a lot of information and awareness in preparing themselves for the National Agriculture Festival,” Mr Iau said.
He said the Mini Agriculture Show will also determine the strength and weakness of farmers and the opportunities that they have in participating in national agricultural events.
Photo supplied. Caption: Provincial Agriculture Officer for Shefa, Willie Iau (L) and Assistant Agriculture Officer for Emae