APTC launches Leader Farmer Workshop

The EU-funded Training Support to the Sugarcane Industry Project 2014-2017, under its Support to the Sugar Industry Programme (SSIP), has launched another phase of training targeted at Leader Farmers in an attempt to upskill them with the capacity to share valuable technical knowledge with other farmers in their networks.

The Leader Farmer concept emerged out of a need to pass on technical information (technology transfer). The Fair-Trade Coordination Unit (FCU), in collaboration with the Fiji Sugar Corporation, is implementing it to assist farmers with upskilling and capacity building. 

According to Mohammed Habib, EU Coordination Programme Unit Technical Manager, “There is a huge reserve of opportunities to motivate Leader Farmers to support and promote Farmer Advisory Services (FAS) and lead by example. Leader Farmers have been chosen as appropriate leaders within the community to show others what can be achieved; however, some basic skills training is required to deliver these outcomes”. 

The training workshop, implemented by the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC), continues over two days. Similar workshops are being held across Fiji’s sugar belt areas, targeting 23 sectors. While 20 leader farmers are participating in the initial training workshop (which started on 3 August), APTC hopes to upskill 210 more farmers across these sectors.

APTC is a development initiative funded by the Australian Government that delivers training and increases the supply of skilled workers in targeted sectors in the Pacific region. APTC has campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

Project Leader Kevin Wyatt said the main focus of the overarching project is to provide a training program for the Fijian sugarcane industry that improves the livelihoods of sugarcane-dependent populations.

The EU/DFAT (European Union/Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) agreement requires APTC (as the implementing agency) to engage with the sugar industry stakeholders and develop a training program to address skills gaps across the sugar supply chain

Mr Wyatt

Project Leader

Individual farmers are key stakeholders in this supply chain. The first day of the workshop educates the farmers on working smart and outlines necessary communication skills, while the second day focuses on planning presentation, and facilitation skills. 

Under the overarching project, APTC is expected to deliver the following:

• Improved skills for workers currently within the Fiji Sugar Industry;
• Delivery of identified gap training of staff working within the sugar mill;
• Delivery of skills training to agricultural extension staff to better support farmers;
• Improved skills development opportunities for people affected by changes in the Fiji Sugar Industry and
• Delivery of Australian qualifications, skill sets and relevant statements of attendance for workshop training events.