South Pacific Division

Local Farmers Enhance Skills in Cocoa Farming through ADRA's Training Program

Solomon Island community receives critical techniques and resources from ADRA's Soul Cocoa Livelihood project.

February 7, 2025

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Denver Newter, Adventist Record, and ANN

Cocoa farmers with some of the seedlings delivered by ADRA to plant as part of the training.

[Photo: Adventist Record]

ADRA's Soul Cocoa Livelihood Project (SCLP) has successfully completed a cocoa training program at Aroaro Community in Central Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. ADRA is the humanitarian agency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The training, held on January 22-23, 2025, equipped 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.

ADRA Australia funded the training through SCLP, with private cocoa consultant Robert Waisu facilitating the sessions.

About 45 cocoa farmers attended, each receiving an approximately five gallon (20-litre) water container donated by Solomon Water and polybags to aid their farming efforts.

Facilitator Robert Waisu with some of the participants.

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,” 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.”

About 45 cocoa farmers attended the training.

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.”

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.