Biosecurity officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) successfully conducted a one day awareness training on Integrated Pest and Disease Management for Falake community members in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province on the 5th May 2021.
The training was conducted upon request by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the aim to address the problems of ‘Aphids’ on the Agro-Forestry site and raise awareness on invasive pests and diseases to the community.
“Aphid (s) refers to any of various small insects, such as the greenfly, that suck the juices of plants for food,” Jean Manepora’a who was part of the awareness team said.
She said Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI) permitted to carryout awareness and training on regulated pests which are of threat to the community’s Agro-Forest farming project under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between BSI and JICA.
The training involved presentations and group discussion along with activities.
Mrs. Manepora’a said participants who are mainly members of the community expressed gratitude to MAL through its Biosecurity Department for facilitating the awareness training as it equipped community farmers with practical knowledge on pest and disease management.
“The training also enabled the participants to realize that biosecurity is not only MAL’s responsibility but a shared responsibility by all Solomon Islanders to protect their community from invasive pests and diseases. It was a worthwhile training although, time limit hinders important field activities,” Biosecurity officer, Mrs. Manepora’a said.
Similar training was also conducted at Komuniboli community, JICA project site in East Guadalcanal on 15th April 2021 by the same Biosecurity awareness team which comprised of George Harunari, Gideon Suda and Jean Manepora’a.
Source: Press Release, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.