A Mini Agriculture Show was held on Craig Cove, West Ambrym to coincide with the MALAMPA Day celebrations sporting activities.
Over 10 local farmers of the Fan council area exhibited their produce from their farms at the show last week.
The Assistant Agriculture Officer (AAO) for West Ambrym, Willie Ben Temar said, “The main purpose of the Mini Agriculture Show is for the farmers to unite together and showcase their local produce and at the same time demonstrate the strength of agriculture on the island of Ambrym.”
“I worked with a key farmer on Craig Cove, Tasso Bong, who has attended the vegetable training in Port Vila last year to gather farmers to participate in this show.
“Many farmers were unable to participate in the Mini Agriculture Show due to challenges linked to transportation and the distance from their farms to the exhibition venue which is Wuro Sports Ground.
“The local produce on exhibition included island taro, kava, manioc, vegetables such as cucumber, lettuce, round cabbages, capsicum, carrots, beans and root crops.”
AAO Temar added “The outcome of the Mini Agriculture show was very good.
“Many farmers have suggested that the agriculture show become part of the activities of Vanuatu’s national day and provincial day celebrations as of 2021 so all the farmers on Craig Cove could prepare to showcase their local farm produce.
“The Mini Agriculture Show was the first one to be held in West Ambrym apart from the previous national agricultural festivals that farmers usually involved in.”
AAO Temar is currently working with local farmers on two area councils in West Ambrym, Wola and Fan.
“The area councils are far away from each other so I work closely with the key farmers such as Tasso Bong, who assisted me by working with farmers who need technical advice on vegetables and other crop production information.
“Since the price of copra is very low at the moment, farmers are encouraged to grow more root crops and vegetables and selling them at the Port Vila market and the market house at Craig Cove.
“This year I manage to work with a lot of farmers who are interested in planting watermelon.
“I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC) for providing vegetable seeds to TC Harold affected communities on Ambrym, thus promoting farmers’ interest to increase production.”