Thirty-five agricultural officers recently participated in a two-day training retreat at Navuso to strengthen their expertise in key agricultural practices.

The retreat focused on root crops and rice agronomic techniques, varietal specifications, and performance evaluation.

In addition, staff received comprehensive training on all aspects of being an effective agriculture officer, ensuring they are well equipped to support farmers and drive agricultural development.

Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, the retreat provided officers with a crucial refresher course to enhance their understanding and application of best practices in crop management.

The program also emphasized knowledge exchange, mentoring, and practical implementation strategies to ensure officers can effectively support farmers.

Senior Agriculture Officer (Naitasiri) and training coordinator, Unaisi Remudu, highlighted the importance of continuous learning for agriculture officers, emphasizing how the training would directly benefit their field operations.

"This retreat is not just about learning, it is about applying knowledge to improve agricultural outcomes in our communities," said Remudu.

"Refreshing our expertise in root crops and rice cultivation will allow us to provide better guidance to farmers, helping them maximize productivity and resilience."

“As experienced professionals, the staff already possess the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to excel as agriculture officers. They are mentors, problem-solvers, and change makers, tasked with shifting mindsets and equipping farmers with the knowledge to implement sustainable practices,” she said.

“This training served as a refresher, reinforcing their capabilities and further elevating their proficiency, ensuring they remain at the forefront of agricultural development and farmer support,” she said.

The retreat featured interactive workshops and field-based demonstrations, allowing officers to analyse different root crop varieties, assess their performance, and apply their learning through practical exercises.

With agriculture playing a vital role in national food security and economic sustainability, continuous capacity-building efforts like this remain a priority for the ministry. The training is expected to directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural officers in their fieldwork.

“As the face of the ministry, extension officers play a critical role in service delivery, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary guidance and support to enhance agricultural productivity,” she said.

“The retreat reinforced core values such as respect, accountability, transparency, and dedication to fostering change at the grassroots level as they interact with farmers of varying needs and expectations, requiring patience, resilience, and a commitment to serve,” she commented.

Agriculture Assistant (Naqesa) Saimoni Tauvoli shared his thoughts on the training.

“I learned a lot from this refresher. It strengthened my understanding of agronomic techniques and varietal performance, while also equipping me with practical insights that will enhance farmer support and agricultural development. I look forward to applying these techniques in my work and ensuring they contribute to positive outcomes for farmers.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways remains committed to investing in professional development initiatives that empower officers with the knowledge, skills, and innovation needed to drive growth in the agricultural sector.

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