Women farmers in Astrolabe Bay LLG of Rai Coast, Madang, were recently taught finer points of cocoa husbandry and rehabilitation in order to increase their cocoa crop yield.
The cocoa extension training was conducted by the agriculture officers from Ramu NiCo Community Affairs department at a selected cocoa farm near Malle village in Astrolabe Bay.
A number of women farmers participated in chupon budding with their male counterparts during the training because they also have cocoa gardens which they want to manage properly.
Cocoa chupon budding is a rehabilitation technique farmers can adopt to increase production.
Chupon budding may be encouraged to be performed on old and unproductive cocoa trees.
Ramu NiCo agriculture field officer, Daniel Aputa explained to the farmers who attended the training that the procedure is to chop off half of the cocoa branches to allow new branches called chupon to grow.
“A best chupon branch can be selected and budded after three to four months,
Two women, Sussie Kamblo and Loretta Jaykay said since Ramu NiCo began carrying cocoa extension in their area many farmers are returning to their gardens which had been neglected in the past due to lack of agriculture extension carried out by the government’s agriculture officers
“We are happy to learn new skills in cocoa rehabilitation and husbandry,” Sussie said.
Chupon budding is a highly skilled activity which requires trained budders.
Farmers can be taught how to bud.