EU-SPC launch 19 technical videos to support agricultural training

SUVA, Fiji—A series of 19 technical videos covering various aspects of agricultural training have been launched by the European Union-funded “Improving Key Services to Agriculture” (IKSA) project. The IKSA project, which is managed by the Pacific Community (SPC) has been working to support farmers in Fiji’s sugar cane belt to increase and improve production of horticultural crops through the provision of enhanced research and extension, nursery development and market access.

The 16 technical training videos, which will be used by the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture to assist with agricultural training, cover areas such as soil health, pineapple production, pest control, seed production and nursery management. The videos can be viewed on the SPC YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCq-WnF3HdrhuNO_FYvG4rhVpff5SSnFV

The acting head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Emmanuelle Guiheneuf said: ”The EU is very happy that the IKSA project has been able to produce this series of 19 training videos which will support the work of the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture in providing guidance to farmers on soil health, seed production, basics of building a nursery, the application of pesticide residue and pineapple farming and so forth. Indeed, extension service is key to enhancing farmer’s livelihoods. These videos will enable the Ministry to plan and deliver technical training to farmers in a very visual, clear and concise manner.”

SPC director general Dr, Colin Tukuitonga said, “The 16 agricultural training videos will further enhance IKSA’s work to support farmer training and development. The project has been working closely with the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture to support farmers in the sugar cane belt areas to increase and improve the production of horticultural crops through the provision of enhanced research and extension services, nursery and farmer development, and improved market access and trade and these videos will build on this work.”

The IKSA project has been working to improve and enhance agricultural services to allow sugar cane farmers to increase on-farm incomes by enhancing their supply capacities through assisting with access to seed, seedlings and farm inputs, provision of practical training through farm demonstration plots and communications, and linkages to markets. IKSA has also worked closely with the Fiji Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, to strengthen research, extension and support services to farmers in Fiji’s sugarcane belt to cushion the economic and social impacts of the restructuring of the sugar industry.

The project has enabled farmers to develop their horticultural production in communities that traditionally have a high-income dependence upon the production and harvesting of sugarcane. The community development and collaboration between farmers and service providers, such as nurseries and the Ministry of Agriculture, is growing the horticultural market and creating new income streams through increased on-farm incomes, enhanced supply capacities through access to seed, seedlings and farm inputs, provision of practical training through farm demonstration plots and communications, and linkages to markets. (PR)