Cakaudrove yaqona farmers went through refresher course [Source: Fijian Government]

The capacity of yagona farmers of Vuinadi, Koroalau in Cakaudrove to manage their farming projects as a business received another boost.

This was made possible through a recently conducted refresher course and field visit.

The refresher course and visit was coordinated by the Farm Management unit of the Ministry of Agriculture in the Northern Division.

Farm Management training facilitator, Agriculture Officer Farm Management (North) Timoci Vakaboro says the refresher visit was to monitor their progress after undergoing informal training on farming as a business.

“Last year we conducted Farm Management training for yagona farmers here in Vuinadi, specifically basing on developing their knowledge on farming and moving from subsistence, to farming as a business with goals and plans. The program is critical to equip farmers with Farm Management skills and knowledge that will help them better manage their finances.”

During the initial training, farmers were taught on managing farm records and types of record keeping from the planting to harvesting stages and recording of farming activities to help guide the individual farmers’ decision making.

“Farmers need to know land conservation and the threats caused by activities such as burning and the importance of contour farming as well as the advantages of vertices grass, which most farmers are not aware of. Part of the training included the formation of clusters based on yagona and dalo commodities and land care to oversee land care practices.”

Meanwhile, yagona farmer Josese Mamita says the refresher visit was a good initiative and follow up after a year from their first Farm Management training.

The refresher course also included Sustainable Land Management practices with Vuinadi farmers also learned about the importance of land conservation.