A special training on vermicomposting for lead farmers from Malaita, Guadalcanal, and Western Provinces is being held at the Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) and Zai Na Tina Organic Farm compound at Burns Creek, East Honiara.
The training will run until Friday this week. It is funded by the KIWA Fund through the Pacific Organic Learning Farm Network (POLFN) project, which is implemented by the South Pacific Community (SPC) and Zai Na Tina Organic Farm in partnership with KGA.
Its the first-ever vermicomposting training in Solomon Islands, marking an important step forward for local farmers.
Participants include lead farmers, NGOs such as Live & Learn and World Vision, schools, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Shane Tutua, POLFN advisor at Zai Na Tina said, he was proud to see the training finally take place.
“I have been dreaming about this training since 2015 after I returned from Cuba, and today it has become a reality,” Dr. Tutua said.
“I am happy that you lead farmers are here to learn. My hope is that you will return and share this knowledge with your farmers. Soil fertility will continue to be a challenge with climate change, so we need nature-based solutions to keep our soils healthy and maintain food security.”
One participant, Connie Sala from the Busurata farmers cluster in Malaita, said she was grateful to be part of the training. “This is something new, but I am happy to attend. I will go back and teach my women farmers,” Mrs. Sala said.
Vermicomposting is a method of making compost using earthworms.
The worms eat food scraps and other organic waste like vegetable peels, fruit skins, and leaves.
Their waste, called vermicast, is rich in nutrients and can be used as natural fertilizer. It requires only a small space, has no bad smell, and is suitable even for backyard gardens in towns.
Facilitator Leititah Naituku, an earthworm expert from Fiji, said she was pleased to share her knowledge.
“I have been doing this in my backyard in Fiji, and I am happy SPC brought me here to teach you,” she said.
A total of 38 participants are attending the training.
By Lesley Sanga
Freelancer
