By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Cocoa farmers in Malaita Province are reportedly facing many setbacks and challenges that disrupt their normal routines.

Local cocoa farmer, Lesley Foinagwa told the paper in an interview that financial constraints and the weather are factors affecting their journey as cocoa farmers.

He said this has minimised their ability to maintain, extend and establish new cocoa farms.

“All cocoa farmers encounter the same financial challenges, which are linked to access to labor that supports us in making their work easier.

“It will also hinder us from moving forward with maintaining a good and clean environment on our farms,” he said.

He stressed that June this year presented another challenge, as they experienced and observed the effects of very low yield from their farm plants.

“This is another challenge that we are experiencing. Our cocoa plants produce low fruit.  This means that very few plants are producing fruit while the rest are not,” he said.

Foinagwa expressed that through their cocoa farms, they are able to afford tuition for their children and essential needs for their families.

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