BY SAMIE WAIKORI
A group of 37 women market vendors from Busurata and Gwailiki communities in Central and West Kwara’ae constituencies of Malaita province, have benefited from a four-day agriculture training on post-harvest management and pest and disease control.
A statement from Malaita Issues says the training was supported by UNDP through its Market for Change (M4C) project in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, supported by Auki Market Vendors Association and Auki Town Council.
The training aimed to enhance productivity, promote sustainable farming practices and empower women economically and was held in Central Kwara’ae.
Participants attended the training ranged from 24 to 69 years of age and have varying market experience with some having sold produce for over 30 years.
Despite this, the statement added that only 22% kept farm records, while many haven’t been exposed to structured agricultural training before. Most earned between SBD 10,000 and 20,000 annually, though incomes ranged from SBD 1,000 to 50,000.
The training covered essential farming techniques to reduce produce damage, maintain food quality and manage crop diseases using locally available and organic solutions.
It also included practical diagnosis of diseased plants, hands-on learning with natural pest control methods and education on minimizing post-harvest damage.
“Learning about post-harvest techniques opened my eyes to how proper handling can improve the quality of our produce,” said one Busurata vendor. “I can’t wait to apply these practices!”
“Before the training, I didn’t know about ‘post-harvest’ practices. We used to handle our crops carelessly, which reduced our sales. Now, I understand how crucial it is to manage them properly after harvest,” another vendor said.
The project, which is currently in its second phase is a regional program operating in Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. It focuses on strengthening the socio-economic security of women vendors by supporting access to training, financial literacy and essential services.
Mr Patrick Tuimalealiifano, the Inclusive Growth Team Leader at UNDP Pacific Office, highlighted the project’s broader goal by emphasizing UNDP’s commitment to leverage strategic partnerships to empower rural market vendors.
“By integrating sustainability with economic resilience, we ensure that women entrepreneurs have the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. Topics included vegetable management, plant health, soil care and fertilizer application,” he said.
Participants recommended further support through access to tools and seeds, while many called for ongoing training to reinforce the knowledge gained.
The UNDP M4C project continues to play a critical role in promoting food security, sustainable agriculture and financial stability for women in rural communities across the Pacific.
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