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Kastom Gaden Association is working with Gerefesu Organic Farm, George Farm, Bloody Ridge Farm, Bethsaida Rural Training Centre, Christian Care Centre, Mareghoto Home Farm, Zaina Tina, Barana Farmer Group, Sape Farm and John Ladota to raise seedling production and distribution
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Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Kastom Gaden Association’s Model Farm situated at Burns Creek has recorded a high demand for seeds and seedlings knowledge in the last four months and it’s expected to increase over the year.
“We continue to offer learning opportunities, planting material and serve as an information center for farmers, schools, institutions and the general public,” says Pitakia Tikai of Kastom Gaden Association. “We’ve received more than 900 visitors requesting for seeds, seedlings and information between October and November last year.”
“We expect these numbers will rise and we’ve been busy raising the production of vegetable seedlings for distribution to farmers and farmer groups as part of the COVID-19 support package.”
Pitakia Tikai said farmers and farmer groups including Popoloi Farm who received the nursery seedlings support initiative have continued to farm their land.
“For example we supplied Popoloi Farm with 780 seedlings, who supply vegetables to the central hospital and others where they had signed contract with.”
Kastom Gaden Association is also working with Gerefesu Organic Farm, George Farm, Bloody Ridge Farm, Bethsaida Rural Training Centre, Christian Care Centre, Mareghoto Home Farm, Zaina Tina, Barana Farmer Group, Sape Farm and John Ladota.
The nursery vegetable seedling productions and distributions project was funded by the Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (FO4ACP) Programme, a joint partnership between the European Union, Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON).