FARMERS of Areatakiki East Guadalcanal have exchange ideas on farming methods with farmers of Aruligo during a brief visit by eight farmers of Areatakiki to Aruligo over the weekend.
This is to get both growers from different places to exchange views and ideas on farming technique in developing local organic agricultural produce.
The exchange course includes all farming techniques like composure, soil, planting that sets the local farmers to look and learn.
The initiative is based under Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) that is introduced to these local farmers last year.
PGS is supported under Agricultural Livelihood Program funded by AUSAID.
ALP officer Andrew Sale said the program aims to help farmers improve their marketing to guarantee good income.
“PGS –locally focused on quality assurance systems means to encourage grower and buyer to consider quality standard”, said Mr Sale.
He said the initiative is first of its kind in the Solomon Islands.
“It is an opportunity for local farmers to make deal with buyers for instance a negotiation between a grower and buyer would lure buyers to visit or make direct contacts with the local farmers to buy their local produces”.
“Farmers who adapt PGS have shown positive in the exchange of ideas, views, challenges and information on farming methods”.
Mr Sale explains PGS is a longtime plan for ALP and having working closer with the local farmers would help improve their labor.
This is to ensure farmers grow local produce in an organic local system than using chemicals which is very expensive, he said.
Grant Vinning of ALP said developing the standard of local organic system is suitable for local farmers.
Mr Grant said organic rules are very expensive and that is why PGS help farmers to exchange information on farming system.
This is one of the plans that would bring buyers and growers sealed a deal, said Mr Grant.
Meanwhile PGS is reportedly developing in the Solomon Islands but suffering from external (climate) challenges delay exchange between farmers.
Next Sunday farmers from Aruligo will make an exchange visit to farmers of Areatakiki, East Guadalcanal.
BY TRIXIE CARTER
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
