Twelve students are currently undertaking working experience with the Vanuatu Department of Agriculture in Port Vila.
Some of the students are attending different Universities in the Pacific while others are from Malapoa College, Onesua Presbyterian College and Central School in Vanuatu.
They are studying different fields in Agriculture like Bachelor of Tropical Agriculture, Bachelor of Agriculture and Applied Science, Agriculture Economist and Bachelor of Agri- Business.
The Department of Agriculture annually provides an opportunity for students to undertake work experience and involved in practical activities at the farm in Port Vila.
“We are giving this opportunity to students who are interested to pursue any field in Agriculture when they complete their studies.
“Most of their time are spent in the field for them to expose to first hand practical experience,” said Willie Iau, Provincial Agriculture Officer for SHEFA Province.
Mr Iau added that the students are engaged in different activities at the farm.
“The students are involved in planting crops, harvesting, sales of crops, seeds separation and preservation, transplanting of seedlings and grafting of fruit trees like citrus.”
Apart from doing practical work at the farm, some of the students began their work experience in the administration office and other sections of the department.
“The students have the opportunity to rotate in different sections so they can have an idea of how each section is operating within the department.
Mr Iau said the department expects the students to know the planting seasons, how to plant different crops, harvesting techniques, importance of seed preservation and grafting and other technical areas at the farm by the time they end their attachment.
The work attachment programme is an opportunity to identify potential candidates to fill in vacant positions and also to replace retiring staff.
“At the end of their attachment, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will provide a reference to certify that these students have had work experience with the department,” the Provincial Agriculture Officer for SHEFA Province said.
Mr Iau encouraged young people studying different fields in agriculture to come forward if they need to do their practical as required under their courses.
Photo supplied. Caption: Students preparing the nursery for vegetables