𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐧

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Solomon Islands has been encouraged by the positive progress made by cocoa farmers in Marovo Lagoon following a recent monitoring and baseline visit to project sites from 29 May-June 2, 2026.

The visit highlighted the significant impact of a week-long Cocoa Establishment, Rehabilitation, Quality Assurance, and Management Training conducted in October last year. The training was funded through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) via ADRA Australia and implemented by ADRA Solomon Islands through the Sustainable Economic and Agricultural Solutions (SEAS) Project.

The Cocoa Training was held from 20–23 October, brought together 16 participants, including both new and existing cocoa farmers from East and West Marovo. The training was facilitated by private cocoa consultant Mr. Robert Waisu and covered key topics such as cocoa pruning, nursery management, site selection, grafting, radical pruning, harvesting, fermentation, and marketing.

During the Baseline survey and monitoring visit last week, the ADRA team observed remarkable improvements in the cocoa farms of participating farmers. Many have established cocoa nurseries, planted new cocoa trees, and applied improved farming practices learned during the training.
The team visited farmers in Peava Village, Kavolavata, Malopas (opposite Mbili), Gevala (Malolo), Tige Island, Kokete, Ketoketo, Bisuana, and Midemide Island.

The monitoring visit provided an opportunity to gather first-hand information from farmers and understand both their achievements and challenges following the training.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Mrs. Hellen Willie Oke, owner of a cocoa farm in Gevala ,Malolo, said the training had greatly improved her cocoa plantation.

“I would like to thank ADRA for the training conducted last year. I have seen significant improvements in my cocoa farm,” she said.
“The trees that were pruned are now producing more pods, and the trees where we applied side and top grafting are growing healthy and producing well. The training has had a big impact on my small cocoa plantation.”
Mr. Janrick Lalao, owner of Tige Cocoa Farm Plantation, said the training taught him the importance of proper cocoa spacing and farm layout under his coconut plantation at his Island.

“Before the training, I didn’t know the correct spacing for cocoa planting. After attending the training, I applied the recommended four-metre spacing between trees,” he said.
“I have now established more than 300 cocoa seedlings on my island, and they are growing well. I thank ADRA for teaching me the correct methods of cocoa planting and farm organisation.”

Mr. Merick Belo of Midemide Island also shared how the training transformed his understanding of cocoa nursery management.
“Before the training, I didn’t know how to establish a cocoa nursery or use the correct planting measurements,” he said.
“After attending the training, I learned how to raise seedlings and plant cocoa using the recommended 4m x 4m spacing. My cocoa trees are growing healthy and in an organised manner.”

“I thank ADRA for providing this valuable training and encourage them to continue supporting farmers with similar programs in the future.”

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱
Mr. Tommy Jimmy from Bisuana Village shared that his family has already established more than 300 cocoa seedlings after his wife attended the training.

“When my wife returned from the training, we immediately started a nursery and planted cocoa seedlings. Today, our cocoa trees are growing well in our gardens,” he said.
“The training gave us practical knowledge on nursery establishment and proper cocoa planting methods. We are happy and excited to see our plantation developing.”

Mrs. Tenia Lawrence from Ketoketo shared that although she faced challenges in establishing a cocoa nursery and planting cocoa due to family commitments, she and her husband were still able to establish and plant more than 100 cocoa seedlings.

“Although I faced challenges because of many family commitments, my husband and I were able to raise more than 100 cocoa seedlings and successfully plant them,” she said.

“We have identified new sites where we plan to transplant more seedlings, and we will continue to establish additional nurseries. I would like to thank ADRA because we have been able to apply the knowledge and skills we gained from the training held at Malolo. The training has helped us put good cocoa farming practices into action here in our community.”

ADRA Solomon Islands, through the SEAS Project, will continue supporting cocoa farmers in Marovo Lagoon by providing additional training on cocoa fermentation, processing, and post-harvest management to strengthen the cocoa value chain and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

ADRA COMMS