The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), through its Soul Cocoa Livelihood Project (SCLP), has successfully completed a cocoa training program at Aroaro Community in Central Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Held on January 22-23 at the community’s request, the training aimed to equip local cocoa farmers with essential skills. Participants learned key aspects of cocoa farming, including pruning and grafting techniques, site and seed selection, identification of high-quality seedlings, and integrated pest and disease management.
The training was funded by ADRA Australia through SCLP, with private cocoa consultant Robert Waisu facilitating the sessions.
About 45 cocoa farmers attended, each receiving a 20-litre water container donated by Solomon Water and polybags to aid their farming efforts.
During the closing ceremony, ADRA Solomon Islands country director Leyn Elizer Gantare expressed his gratitude to the local government and participants for their commitment to the initiative.
“ADRA staff are happy to be here, and their hearts are with you—the cocoa farmers in this community,” Mr Gantare said.
“Our team will continue visiting you and working alongside you as you apply what you’ve learned today.”
He encouraged the farmers to put their newfound knowledge into practice: “I challenge you to go back and apply what you’ve learned to your cocoa plantations. If you take care of your cocoa, the cocoa will take care of you.”
Participant Mary Filotea expressed her appreciation for the training, saying, “This training has given me more knowledge on how to properly plant and harvest cocoa, even as an experienced farmer.
“I now understand better techniques, and I thank ADRA for bringing this training to our community for free.”
Tribal Chief John Batisia of the Aroaro Community described the training as a significant blessing: “This is a great opportunity for our community because it’s the first time ADRA has come here to provide such training.”
