Farmset Limited has expanded its support towards the primary industry; this time with a series of training sessions for farmers and leaders from various agriculture based organisations and groups in Madang, Kainantu and Goroka.
The engagement covered cocoa, coffee, animal health, pest management and chemical safety and was intended for farmers, managers and extension officers.
The program was delivered last week by Farmset chemical specialists Colin Mitchell and Steve Woodhouse; and NAQIA's regional veterinary surgeon Ian Russel Enriquez.
The events were coordinated by the Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association Inc (HFSA).
HFSA President Wilson Thompson said there were 30 participants in the Madang training, 15 for Kainantu and more than 100 in Goroka.
Thompson said a number of agriculture groups from Kainantu and Obura Wonenara were represented at the Kainantu segment while Goroka attracted the Coffee Industry Corporation, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, cooperatives, coffee plantations, export companies and HFSA sector presidents.
"We commend this approach with topics in cocoa, coffee, chemical application and plant and animal disease rather than sector agencies conducting (their) own training when the same farmers deal with coffee, vegetables and livestock," said Thompson.
"HFSA will also change its approach in facilitating information and general trainings and then focus on each sector for specialised programs."
In acknowledging the participants, Thompson added that the topics were relevant and he expects all to collaborate with other sectoral boards and conduct similar one-stop sessions.
He commended Farmset for funding the training and also, together with NAQIA, the technical expertise.