GOVERNMENT wants cocoa farmers to increase their production to 10,000 tonnes a year by 2014.
Currently, the country only produced up to 4,000 tonnes a year, which has an export value of $71 million.
But the Government wants cocoa to bring in up to $200 million in foreign earning a year.
To achieve that, it is assisting cocoa farmers under a project called Cocoa Livelihood Improvement Project (CLIP).
Australia provided $14 million for the project, under which cocoa farmers are being trained on how to look after and manage their plantations.
These trainings are being conducted since last year in the provinces.
The project is bringing positive results with Malaita farmers who attended the training testified of improved cocoa plants and increase in yields.
Yesterday, officials from the Australian High Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development visited farmers in Malaita to witness the results being achieved so far.
By CHARLES KADAMANA
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