BY JUNELYN KELLY
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has taken a major step towards improving the country’s cocoa industry by importing 27 new cocoa varieties from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.
This initiative is part of a Cocoa Genetic Improvement Research Programme led by SINU in partnership with Kaprikonia Trading Company, Marist Farm, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), a statement from SINU yesterday said.
Upon arrival, the cocoa varieties were placed at the ministry’s quarantine facility in Henderson, where they are undergoing seedling grafting before being transplanted.
Once ready, the plants will be established at Marist Farm, SINU, and KTC farms. Afterwards, they will be distributed to local farmers for field testing to assess how well they adapt to different environments.
The programme aims to strengthen the cocoa sector and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers across the Solomon Islands.
The statement said currently, most farmers rely on traditional cocoa varieties such as Amelonado and while these older varieties are resilient and productive, they are considered lower-grade and less competitive in premium markets.
By introducing modern, high-quality cocoa varieties, SINU expects to boost both the quantity and quality of cocoa production. The use of grafting techniques with mature plant material will also allow the cocoa trees to flower and bear fruit earlier, increasing efficiency for farmers.
The statement said the programme also incorporates modern technology.
Each grafted plant will be tagged with a QR code, allowing easy access to detailed information about the plant and its location.
According to Dr. Vaeno Wayne Vigulu, this initiative represents a significant advancement for the cocoa industry.
With improved planting materials and innovative practices, the programme offers promising prospects for higher-quality production and better economic opportunities for cocoa farmers in the future.
Photo credit: SINU
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