The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Solomon Islands, through its Sustainable Economic and Agricultural Solutions (SEAS) Project, has been working closely with Malolo Cocoa Farm at Gevala, to establish a new Cocoa Module Farm in Marovo Lagoon,Western Province.
A cocoa module farm is a small nursery where young cocoa plants are grown strong and healthy before being moved to the main farm.
The establishment of the Cocoa Module Farm was officially announced during a one-week Cocoa Training conducted at the Malolo Cocoa Farm by SEAS Project Manager, Mr. Patrick Mesia.
The Cocoa Establishment, Rehabilitation, Quality Assurance, and Management Training was funded by DFAT through ADRA Australia under the SEAS Project, and as part of its site expansion activities.
The training started from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 October which brought together 16 participants, including both, new and existing cocoa farmers from East and West Marovo.
A private cocoa consultant, Mr. Robert Waisu, was engaged by the SEAS Project to facilitate the training, which covered key topics such as cocoa pruning, nursery management, site selection, grafting, radical pruning, harvesting, fermentation, and marketing.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, SEAS Project Manager Mr. Patrick Mesia acknowledged the commitment of all participants.
โI would like to thank all of you who attended this training for your time and effort to come here despite of your busy schedule back in your respective villagesโ
โThis training will help you to establish your cocoa farms and you existing Farmers to improve your production,โ he said.
Mr. Mesia added that this was the first training of its kind to be held in Marovo and marked the beginning of ongoing collaboration with Farmers there.
โThis training will now bring us together as partners of ADRA to establish this place as a new Cocoa Excellence Centre and a model for other Farmers around Marovo Lagoon,โ Mr. Mesia said.
The SEAS Project was an expansion of the SOUL Cocoa initiative that aimed to support 2,500 cocoa Farmers across Guadalcanal, Malaita, Vella Lavella, and Honiara in achieving sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience through improved yields, training in best practices, and access to quality planting materials.
The SEAS Project addresses the long-standing challenge of low cocoa productivity, limited market access, and fragile livelihoods among smallholder cocoa Farmers in Solomon Islands. While cocoa is a significant source of income in rural areas, farming households often lack the resources, training, and organizational support needed to improve yields, reduce losses, and increase income. These challenges are further compounded by climate vulnerability, gender inequalities, and limited institutional support.
One of the Farmers from Kavolavata, Gotokae Island, Mr. Vinsent Cesala, described the training as an eye-opener. He shared that although he had planted cocoa before, he lacked the knowledge to help his trees produce better yields.
โThis training was timely for us who are currently involved in cocoa planting and those interested in startingโ
โI have planted a few cocoa trees in my garden, but I didnโt know how to make them bear good fruits and grow well. Now, through the lessons on pruning and radical pruning, Iโve gained the knowledge I need, and will start applying it when I return home,โโMr Cesala happily shared after the training.
Mr. Jandrick Lalao, who currently farms both cocoa and seaweed on his island Tige in Marovo, also found the training valuable.
โAt the moment, Iโm involved in coconut and seaweed farming, and this cocoa training has motivated me to also venture into the cocoa sectorโ
โI have land on my island where I plan to plant cocoa under the coconut trees using knowledge Iโve learned from this training. The sessions on cocoa nurseries and soil selection were especially important for me,โโHe said.
Another participant, Mr. Merick Belo from Buinitusu Village, admitted that before attending the training, he was never interested in cocoa farming.
โI had a few cocoa seedlings but wasnโt motivated to plant them because I didnโt have the knowledge or information about this cropโ
โAfter attending this training, I realized that cocoa farming is a worthwhile investment that can start producing within three years. Itโs also less labor-intensive compared to other cash crops. This training has truly changed my mindset,โโMr Belo revealed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fredson Pita from Mokuana Island, who already owns a cocoa plantation, said that the training renewed his commitment to cocoa farming.
โI have a cocoa plantation on Mokuana Island, but I focused mainly on fishing because it brings faster incomeโ
โThis training has changed my perspective. I now see that cocoa is important for my family and my childrenโs future. I will go back and rehabilitate my cocoa plantation using the knowledge and skills I gained,โโPita said when he received his poly bag shared for the Farmers after the training sessions.
At the end of the training, each participant received 100 polybags and three cocoa pods, provided by Malolo Farm. These materials will enable the Farmers to establish their own cocoa nurseries and begin developing their cocoa plantations.
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In tow years time that place will be come cocoa centre of excellence
