NYTC 2014 Batch 1 Final Report

Manoa N. Tupou

Nasau Youth Training Centre

6/30/2014

2014NYTC Batch 1 Final Report

NYTC Batch 1 Final Report

Table of Content Acknowledgement

Dedication

Staff Overview

Introduction

Advertisement and Interview

Enrolment and Orientation

Trainee Overview

Seed of Success Training

Modules

Theory

Module One

Module Two

Module Three

Module Four

Module Five

Module Six

Module Seven

Practical

Stakeholder Participation

Field Trip

Graduation

Conclusion

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Acknowledgement The first half of 2014 has been a challenging term for everyone at the National Youth Training Centre. This report acknowledges the contribution, dedication, sacrifice and effort that have been engaged into the first half of 2014 resulting in the successful completion of Batch 1 training of Basic Agriculture.

A big Vinaka Vakalevu to:

the Staff and Management of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Staff and Management of OISCA International Fiji;

the various stakeholders who take time off their busy schedules to be a part of the learning experience of our trainee;

Our partners who have been very instrumental in the success of the 1st half of 2014; The trainees for being our motivation.

DedicationThis 2014 Batch 1 Final Report is dedicated to the hard working staff and trainees of the Nasau Youth Training Centre.

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Staff Overview The Nasau Youth Training Centre is jointly managed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and a Japanese NGO – OISCA (Organisation for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement) International.

Ministry of Youth and Sports StaffMr. George Francis – Director, Principal Youth Officer

Mr. Manoa Tupou – Youth Officer

Mr. Apenai Vatucicila – Carpentry Instructor

Mr. Mateni Mekerusa – Clerical Officer

Mr. Sivo – Storeman

Mrs. Aqela Mataitini Ratu – Typist

Mr. Daven Vijay – Driver

Mr. Eremasi Daugado – Farm Hand I

Mr. Setareki Logavatu – Stockman

Mr. Saimoni Vidovi – Handyman

Mrs. Reijeli Seru – Domestic Assistant

Ms. Ulamila Qaraniqio – Cook

Mr. Eminoni Nacebe – Assistant Stockman

Mr. Subir Sen – Farm Hand II

Mr. Nacebe, Mr. Logavatu, Mr. Sen and Mr. Daugado are responsible for the practical aspects of the Basic Agriculture training. This includes Poultry, Piggery, Fish farming as well as root crops and vegetable farming.

OISCA International Staff As per the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and OISCA International, OISCA has the following obligations:

To provide the experts available to for technical/guidance and other educational opportunities.

To organize courses and to provide trainings to empower rural youth. To provide agriculture training both in vegetables and livestock is farming at the

National Youth Training Centre. Train youths on necessary agriculture knowledge and skills to enable.

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To submit monthly training progress reports to Ministry of Youth and Sports (Nasau Youth Training Centre)

To provide agricultural, equipment consistent with OISCA’s Budget. To award scholarships for technical training to Fiji youth at OISCA approved training

centres in Japan. To provide further training in selected disciplines for graduates of OISCA training

programme in Japan. To advise and support OISCA graduates in community development projects.

OISCA International looks after the training of Basic Agriculture trainees as per the agreements set out in the MOU.

Below are the names of the staff of OISCA International:

Mr. Kosei Sugawara – Chief Representative

Ronda Gawan - Represetative

Sikeli Tamani – Senior Adviser for Agriculture Training, Coordinator for Ra Province

Celua Vuratu – Chief of Agriculture Training

Ronald MacDonald – Training Staff

Luke Sisiwa – Training Staff

Tevita Dakita - Coordinator

Meli Tawanakoro - Coordinator

Poasa Ratu - Coordinator

As far as training of Basic Agriculture trainees is concerned, Mr. Vuratu is responsible for the overall training whilst Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Sisiwa are responsible for practical classes especially on vegetable and poultry farming. Mr. Ratu, Mr. Tawanakoro and Mr. Dakita looks are the sustainable aspect of the training.

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Introduction

2014 started off with the recruitment drive for the new trainees of the Youth Training Centre Nasau. Tasked with recruiting two batches of agriculture trainees where 15 trainees were to be recruited at the beginning of the year to make up for Batch 1 of 2014 and another set of 15 trainees to be recruited for the second half of the year to make up for Batch 2 of 2014, necessary arrangements were made to allow for the timely recruit of trainees.

This report aims to provide coverage of the training the Certificate in Basic Agriculture trainees underwent whilst attending the Youth Training Centre at Nasau.

The aims of the training programme are:

To provide trainees with general knowledge of agronomy, livestock production, farm management, basic farm machinery maintenance, forestry, sustainability and marketing;

To assist trainees gain knowledge and skills in preparation to be become new farmers or more informed and literate farmers;

To help trainees gain a greater understanding of their responsibilities towards the environment, natural resources and the community;

To help trainees develop the ability to apply knowledge and skills to new situations and also make wise decisions to help solve agricultural problems.

Advertisement and InterviewAdvertisement seeking applications from potential trainees was published on the Fiji Times from the 9th to the 10th of January 2014, attached as Attachment 1. Despite the early calls for expression of interest to study at the NYTC were published, there were not as many applications received compared to previous years. Some of the possible reasons for this are set out below:

The Fiji Times was the only newspaper in which the advertisement was advertised; No other media outlet was utilized, for example, the radio advertisements or

advertisement through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Talkback show; Increase in the opportunities for unemployed youths to pursuing a career path through

the Fiji National University introduced programmes together with financial assistance approved by the Government;

The absence of rigorous campaigning of Youth Coordinators stationed at Provincial Offices. The Youth Coordinators play a crucial role being one of the link between the Ministry and the Youths, in this case, the Youth Coordinators could have utilised their accessibility to Provincial Council Meetings to have discussions with Provincial or District Representatives concerning training at the National Youth Training Centre

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Despite some of the setbacks above, sufficient number of people attended the interview even though the numbers were not as many so as to allow the management of the National Youth Training Centre the liberty to choose the best possible candidates for training.

The table below shows the number of potential trainees interviewed at each interview venue.

District Venue Dates Time Number InterviewedRakiraki Ra Provincial Council Office (town) 20/01/2014 9.00am – 1- 00pm Carpentry

Agriculture

Nausori Ministry of Agriculture Conference

Room (Rt Cakobau Hse)21/01/2014 9.30 am – 1.00 pm Carpentry

Agriculture

Navua Serua Provincial Council Office

(Conference room)21/01/2014 2.00pm - 4.30 pm Carpentry

Agriculture

Lautoka Ministry of Youth & Sports Office

(conference room)22/01/2014 9.00 am – 1.00 pm Carpentry

Agriculture

Sigatoka

Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council Office (conference room)

23/01/2014 9.00 am – 1.00 pm Carpentry 4

Agriculture 4

4

3.21.2

2

3

Interview per VenueRakirakiNausoriNavuaLautokaSigatoka

Figure 1 - The above chart shows the number of candidates interviewed at each centre.

The interview panel for the first three days included Mr. George Francis, Director of the National Youth Training Centre, Mr. Kosei Sugawara, Director of OISCA International, and Mr. Apenai Vatucicila, the Carpentry Inspector. Mr. George Francis was however replaced by Mr. Manoa Tupou – Youth Officer on Thursday the 23rd of January.

Enrolment & OrientationEnrolment at the National Youth Training Centre was scheduled from the 3rd to the 7th of February 2014, 3 weeks after the advertisement calling for expression of interests from

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interested youths who wish to pursue further training on Carpentry and Agriculture studies based on the programme of the NYTC.

This year, 2014, saw a positive response from the general public and especially from the trainees based on the arrival rate of trainees to the NYTC. Compared to the previous years, this year, 30% of the participants arrived on the first day of enrolment. In total for the first day of enrolment, 13 participants arrived into the NYTC; this is the combined number for Carpentry and Agriculture trainees. Previous year’s record arrival on the first day of enrolment rarely goes beyond 2 – 3 participants’ attendance.

Training plan for the NYTC for 2014 was scheduled much earlier if compared to year 2013; this allowed the staff of the NYTC to work within the 5-6 months training for Basic Agriculture trainees.

On enrolment, the trainees were asked to fill in the NYTC Registration Form; the registration forms of trainees that were filled during enrolment week are attached also. Enrolment at the NYTC took place on the first three days whilst Thursday and Friday were set aside as Orientation day.

The tables below record the number of trainees arriving at the NYTC on the three enrolment week.

Day 1

No. Date First Name Other Names Surname Programme1.

03.02.14Seruvatu Taito Raga

Agriculture2. Laisenia Dolo3. Menausi Kilihama4. Saimone Naikelekele5. Vetaia Kilihama6. Josateki Tanalaba Nakabi7. Timoci Ravutuba8. Kalivati Batina

9.

03.02.14

Ruth Lavenia Pickering

Carpentry

11. Etuate Raikoso12. Eroni Soqo13. Napolioni Leka Cati14. Saimone K.15. Viliame Naivaluvou16. Manasa Konataci17. Asaeli Satala Matairavula18. Ratu Joji Tuiraralevu

NatadraBanuve

19. Eric Sovite20. Apisai L. N. K. Tavutunawailala

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Day 2

No. Date First Name Other Names Surname Programme21. 04.02.14 Mara Batina Agriculture22. Aisake Rasuluka

23.

04.02.14

Netani Bulavakarua

Carpentry24. Etuate Jiko Tuiraviravi25. Jimione Lutuisalia26. Alipate Wailutu27. Josiua Nakava

Day 3

No. Date First Name Other Names Surname Programme28. Adi Mere Komaisavai Agriculture

29.05.02.14

Kemueli ToviloCarpentry30. Lasa Naduvalevu

31. Timoci Ravuatuba*Anareta Takoi was one of those placed on the reserve list, however, on day three of enrolment she turned up at the NYTC with the former District Representative of Naqalimare. She was enrolled on the same day.

Day 4

No. Date First Name Other Names Surname Programme32. 06.02.14 Anareta Takoi Agriculture

Day 5

No. Date First Name Other Names Surname Programme33. 07.02.14 Peni Matawalu Agriculture

Whilst there was no specific programme for Orientation day, the first half of the first day was used to introduce the trainees to the programme of the NYTC familiarising them with its rules and regulation which was delivered by the Principal Youth Officer, NYTC, Mr. George Francis. Following this, the trainers at the Centre has time to address the trainees directly on the different areas they will be working closely on with the trainees. The second halves of the first day, the trainees were discharged to their own programme where they were then briefed on the activities of their respective programmes. OISCA International did the briefing for Basic Agriculture training whilst the Carpentry Instructor briefed the Carpentry trainees. This continued onto the second day.

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At the end of orientation and enrolment week, the NYTC had managed to welcome 30 trainees to the Centre. The remaining 5 trainees are due to arrive at the Centre on the first day of the Seeds of Success workshop week.

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Trainee Overview

Agriculture TraineesBATCH 1 of 2014 consists of 15 individuals from around the country. Of the 15 individuals, 3 were females. This section will provide an list of each individual trainee alphabetically.

No.

First NameLast Name

Date of Birth

Residential Address

PhoneContact

Village District Province

1 Adi MereKomaisavai

31/12/1986

13 Vio Rd, Waiyavi, Ltka

9090760 Viwa Bau Tailevu

2 AisakeRasuluka

11/01/1991

Duivosavosa, Lovonivonu

8729067/9585254

Lovonivonu

Taveuni Cakaudrove

3 AnaretaTakoi

21/08/1993

Sautabu village

6201154 Sautabu Naqalimare

Navosa

4 JosatekiNakabi

15/02/1993

Korovisilou

7254654 Nabukelevu

Serua Serua

5 KalevatiBatina

02/05/1988

Namara, Vuda

9079776/6705039

Nabulini Wainibuka

Tailevu

6 LaiseniaDolo

11/09/1992

Nasealevu village

8431769 Nasealevu

Sasa Macuata

7 MaraBatina

26/12/1994

Nabulini village

9409963 Nabulini Wainibuka

Tailevu

8 MenausiKaukitoga

03/05/1994

Nalalawa village

6030047/9503941

Nalalawa Nalawa Ra

9 PeniMatawalu

30/06/1992

Verevere 3543905 Verevere Nakorotubu

Ra

10 SaimoneNaikelekele

24/03/2014

Rewasa, Ra

9358895/9932231

Rewasa Rakiraki Ra

11 Taito SeruvatuRaga

16/11/1994

Nawiwi Settlement, Labasa

8431769/8493916

Qelemumu

Udu Macuata

12 TimociRavutuba

14/07/1992

Narara, Rakiraki

8042823 Drauniivi Rakiraki Ra

13 VetaiaKilihama

03/12/1995

Nakorokula village

9183596 Nakorokula

Wai Nadroga

14 MiliakereTikonasau

1984 Naivicula Village

Naivicula Naloto Tailevu

15 PeteroRerealoa

Muana Village

Muana Tunuloa Cakaudrove

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Below is a brief overview of each trainee. The trainees themselves provided the overview after being provided with a few guide questions to guide them in developing these.

Adi Mere KomaisavaiMere Komaisavai is a 27 year old female from Viwa, Bau, Tailevu. She completed Form 6 studies and did Tertiary studies at the Tarining Productivity Authority of Fiji. She plans to do farming on her mother’s land at Nadali, Nausori. The land is a residential lot, of about 872 square metres on Mataqali Naocovonu land and is on Native Lease. The land is located near Nadali Village in Nausori. She will be the first person in her immediate family to go into extensive farming and will be guided by her uncles who are also farming in Nadali. She also hopes to secure her aunt’s farm near Bau landing to plant in. This way she can develop into a proper commercial farm and do Bee Keeping on her aunt’s land in Waiyavi, Lautoka.

Aisake RasulukaAisake Rasuluka is a 22 year old Fijian boy who hails from Duivosavosa Settlement, Lovonivonu Village, Taveuni. Aisake did Form 4 level. He has been doing farming on his Mataqali land which is located at Duivosavosa settlement near Lovonivonu Village. He uses 10 acres of the mataqali land and is doing commercial farming there planting yaqona, dalo and cassava.

Anareta TakoiAnareta Takoi is a 20 year old Fijian who hails from Sautabu Village in the district of Naqalimare in the province of Nadroga/Navosa. She did form 6 studies and had been farming on her mataqali land called Nahoni. Nahoni is a 3-4 acres piece of land where Anareta has been farming vegetables and yaqona. Nahoni is located near Koronisagana Village along the valley road

Josateki NakabiJosateki Tanalaba is a 21 year old Fijian boy who hails from the village of Korovisilou in Serua. He did Form 5 level at school and had been doing farming on his father’s leased land called Naviyaraki which is located near Nabukelevu in Serua. The land is a native lease and is about 200 acres in all. He hopes to do his farming on his father’s land pursuing commercial farming practices

Kalevati BatinaKalevati Batina hails from the village of Namara, in the district of Vuda in Ba. He is 26 years old. Mr Batina attempted secondary education up to Form 3 level. Since he left school he had been doing farming on his mataqali land which is about 4 acres where he plants cassava, yams and vegetables for commercial use

Laisenia DoloLaisenia Dolo is a 21 year old Fijian. He is from the village of Nasealevu in the district of Sasa in the province of Macuata. After attempting Form 5 of secondary school studies, he has been doing farming on his father’s land called Namasi. He is using 10 acres of his father’s

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land which is native land.Mara Batina

Mara Batina is 19 years old. He hails from the village of Nabulini in Wainibuka in the province of Tailevu. Mara attended Ra High School as a Form 5 student. After completing his Form 5 education, he joined his relatives in Nabulini doing semi commercial farming on a 5 acre piece of land known as Bureloa. Mara plants yaqona, dalo, cassava and bananas on his farm.

Menausi KaukitogaMenausi Kaukitoga is a 21 year old Fijian boy whi hails from Nalalawa Village in the district of Nalawa in Ra. After attempting Form 5 education, Menausi has been doing subsistence farming on his mataqali land called Ligicia which is located near Tobu Village. Menausi has about 2 acres of land that he is planning

Miliakere TikoinasauMiliakere Tikoinasau is 30 years of age, she is from Naivicula, Naloto, Tailevu. She was living in with her partner in his farm. After completing secondary school education, she went on to tertiary level doing Information technology and inbound travel for tourism studies. After her studies, Miliakere went back to the village doing dalo, piggery, fish and cocoa farming. She is planning to lease 5-10 acres of her mataqali land. The name of her mataqali is Namoa and the site that she wants to lease is Koronika. It’s approximately 21/2 kilometres away from her parents place and its located before her village. She wants to plant dalo, vegetables, cassava, ginger, banana, vudi, poultry and also cocoa farming on that land and become a commercial farmer.

Peni Matawalu

Petero RerealoaPetero Rerealoa is a 22 year old Fijian whi hails from Muana, Tunuloa, Cakaudrove. Petero farms a piece of land in Muana called Tunua which is 5 acres belonging to his father.

Saimone NaikelekeleSaimone Naikelekele is a 21 year old Fijian boy who hails from Rewasa Village in the district of Saivou in the province of Ra. Saimone did Form 6 level. He had been doing farming on his mataqali land called Naulunivuaka which is located near Rewasa Village and it is a Native lease. His farm is about 3 acres where he does semi commercial farming.

Taito Seruvatu

Timoci RavutubaTimoci Ravutuba hails from the village of Narara in the district of Saivou in the province of Ra. He is 21 years old and did Form 6 studies at Penang Sangam High School and has a piece of land own by his Mataqali which is about 2 acres. The piece of land is called Nailoaloa and is located near Rakiraki town and Rewasa village. At the time of enrolment, Timoci was doing subsistence farming planting cassava, vudi, banana etc…

Vetaia KilihamaVetaia Kilihama hails from Nakorokula Village, in the district of Wai in the province of Nadroga/Navosa. Vetaia is now 19 years old; last year he was a Form 6 student at Lomawai Secondary School. Kilihama has been doing farming on a piece of land called Tagina which is about 7 acres. Tagina is a native land; apart from the farming that Kilihama does, there is no major infrastructural development there.

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Seed of Success TrainingThe Seed of Success Workshop was conducted from the 10th to the 14th of February at the Nasau Youth Training Centre. Initially, arrangement was made for S.O.S Trainer Mrs. Lorna Foster to facilitate the training, however, due to pre-arranged meeting; she was not available for the week long training. She was replaced by Mr. John Tamani.

The training was attended by 33 trainees both from the Trade Certificate in Carpentry Class III and Certificate in Basic Agriculture programmes. The names of the trainees that attended the week-long event are provided below:

No. First Name Other Names Surname Programme1. Seruvatu Taito Raga

Agriculture

2. Laisenia Dolo3. Menausi Kaukitoga4. Saimone Naikelekele5. Vetaia Kilihama6. Josateki Tanalaba Nakabi7. Kalivati Batina8. Mara Batina9. Anareta Takoi10. Peni Matawalu11. Adi Mere Komaisavai12. Petero Rerealoa13. Miliakere Tikoinasau14. Timoci Ravutuba15. Aisake Rasuluka

1. Ruth Lavenia Pickering

Carpentry

2. Etuate Raikoso3. Eroni Soqo4. Napolioni Leka Cati5. Viliame Naivaluvou6. Manasa Konataci7. Asaeli Satala Matairavula8. Ratu Joji T. N. Banuve9. Eric Sovite10. Apisai L. N. K. Tavutunawailala12. Netani Bulavakarua

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13. Etuate Jiko Tuiraviravi14. Jimione Lutuisalia15. Alipate Wailutu16. Josiua Nakava17. Kemueli Tovilo18. Lasa Naduvalevu19. Kaminieli Batigone

Of the 33 participants, 4 were females; where 3 females were enrolled into the Certificate in Basic Agriculture programme and 1 female is enrolled into the Trade Certificate in Carpentry Class III programme; the rest of the participants are male numbering 29 in all, where 17 are enrolled into the Trade Certificate in Carpentry Class III and 12 enrolled into the Certificate in Basic Agriculture programme.

Generally, the weeklong training was a very open one as far as discussions on specific issues are concerned. The trainees actively involve themselves in the activities assigned and there was a lot of discussion after the sessions by the trainees themselves, this is a positive indication that the trainees were quite interested in the Seed of Success training.

Attached as Attachment 2, is the Seed of Success Final Report from Mr. John Tamani, the facilitator of the weeklong event.

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Training After internal consultations, the prescription for Certificate in Basic Agriculture was reviewed in 2012 following recommendations arising from internal consultation within the newly established Ministry of Youth and Sports. In 2013, the Revised Prescription for Basic Agriculture training was first used and has been in use since then.

The new Prescription consists of 7 Modules designed to be implemented in a span of 6 months. The revised prescription was designed for youths who intend to become new farmers. It comprises of 30% Theory and 70% Practical with continuous assessments during the course of training and focuses more on informal training. It aims to provide basic knowledge to trainees for subsistence as well as commercial enterprise development.

Below is a brief description of the modules covered under the programme:

Modules Reference Number Subject/Topic WeekEmpowerment Training Seed of Success 1

Module 1 Unit 1 Introduction to Agriculture

1

Module 2 Unit 2 Soil Formation and Properties

2

Unit 3 Soil ManagementModule 3 Unit 4 Crop Production 3

Organic FarmingModule 4 Unit 5 Forestry and

Environment2

Module 5 Unit 6 Livestock Production 4Establishment and Monitoring

Module 6 Unit 7 Farm Management and Marketing

2

Module 7 Unit 8 Farm Plan Development

2

The Prescription for Certificate in Basic Agriculture is attached as Attachment 3. The Nasau Youth Training Centre have however, made a few changes to the coverage of the Modules to better reflect the training needs of the trainees without changing the Modules covered but rather, reducing the number of weeks the modules are covered from 25 to 20 weeks and a rearrangement of the amount of time given to the coverage of a particular Module.

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Attached as Attachment 4 the training Calendar for Batch 1 trainees, which aims to show the training programme of the trainees as well as the changes that have been incorporated.

Theory This section seeks to report on the coverage of each of the 7 Modules that makes up Basic Certificate in Agriculture adopted at the Nasau Youth Training Centre. All the modules will be discussed separately using the following questions as guide line to the discussion on each of the Module. The questions are outlined below:

What is objective of the Module? How long are the trainees expected to complete coverage of the module? How did the trainees respond to the lessons conducted? How well did the trainees grasp the lessons in each Module?

It should be noted that where there are more than one unit in a module, both units will be discussed as one.

Module One – General AgricultureModule one, general agriculture is the first of the seven modules covered under the Certificate in Basic Agriculture Programme. Upon completion of the Module, trainees should be able to relate to the following objectives of the Module:

- Define the term Agriculture- Describe the history of Agriculture- Identify and explain the problems facing the development of agriculture in Fiji and

suggested solutions- List at least 3 financial institutions for farmers and explain their roles- Suggest ways of increasing crop and livestock production- Explain the land tenure system in Fiji- Briefly explain Governments assistance to farmers- List at least three economic, social, and basic importance of agriculture- Identify major import and export crops and livestock in Fiji- Explain the possible effects of Agriculture production on natural resources.

Module one was covered in the first week of training where trainees were given notes provided for in the handbook. The general response was quite good and they relate very well to this module given its simplicity and straight forward presentation. The trainees relate better to this module given the simplicity of the words used and the style in which the module was devised.

Module Two – Soils and Soils Management Module 2 consists of 2 topics that were delivered as one module. Unit two is on soils whilst unit 3 is on soil management. At the end of the two units, the trainees were able to, for unit 2

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Describe the origins of parent material and the formation of soil; Explain the five factors responsible in the formation of soil; Define the term weathering; Explain the physical, chemical and biological factors in weathering; Study a soil profile and describe the characteristics of topsoil, sub-soil and parent

material; Explain the soils physical properties, that is, soil structure, soil texture, soil air, soil

water and soil colour; Differentiate the characteristics of sandy, clay, silt and loam soil; Explain how physical characteristics of soil affect crop production; Describe how physical characteristics of soil affect tillage; Conduct experiments on physical and chemical properties of soil; Explain the chemical properties of the soil and their significance; Identify the causes of soil acidity; Describe how soil acidity is corrected; Explain the importance of soil pH in agriculture.

For unit 3 on soil management, trainees at the end of the unit were expected to;

Explain methods of proper land management; List the essential elements of plant growth; State the effect of major elements on plant growth; Explain how organic matter affects soil productivity; List at least 3 methods of maintaining organic matter; Discuss organic farming and its importance; Discuss the ways of identifying soil nutrient deficiencies.

The two topics were covered in a span of two week with soil science taking appropriately 6 days to cover. Given that the trainees are doing 30% of theory and70% of their work comprises of practical activity there was not ample time available for the coverage of the unit. This is reflected in the trainees general response to this module where while modules 5 and 6 were being covered, trainees were still enquiring about module 2. Revisiting the module a couple of times into the training proved to be quite useful and helped the trainees in understanding this particular module.

Module Three – Crop Production This module was divided into two separate units, namely crop production and organic production. It was covered in a span of three weeks where one week, the third week, trainees were sent for an attachment with the Taiwan Technical Mission at Nacocolevu. The first two weeks was spent at the Youth Training Centre Nasau. At the completion of the two units; for module 3 on crop production and organic farming, the trainees were expected to;

Explain and demonstrate the cultivation of suitable vegetables and field crops under the following headings:

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o Soil requirements;o Site selection;o Land preparation;o Seedbed preparation;o Seed germination;o Recommended varieties;o Planting and spacing;o Care and maintenance;o Pests and disease control;o Harvesting and marketing.

Most of what was being covered here is the theoretical aspect to the practical work that the trainees engage in for most of their training time given the emphasis placed on vegetable farming. There were a number of practical tests that they did in groups on the headings mentioned above to measure how well the trainees grasp the gist of what was being shared to them. It was very encouraging to see trainees being creative in using the resources around them to help them achieve set targets for specific headings. This also increased their level of awareness on the module.

Module Four – Forestry and Environment The objectives of module four sits well with the work that OISCA International Fiji currently does in the country, being a champion in mangrove planting, marine conservation and reforestation. At the end of module four, the trainees were expected to:

List and explain the importance of forestry to the economy of Fiji; Explain ecological role of forests; Define the two types of forestry; Discuss reasons for afforestation and re-afforestation; Demonstrate ways of planting trees; Demonstrate asexual methods of plant propagation; Briefly explain agroforestry and its importance; Define sustainable agriculture and its importance.

This module was covered in two straight weeks and it included OISCA International Fiji environmental programmes which the trainees enjoyed thoroughly as this module allowed them time to visit other places close to the Centre that they do not always have the liberty of visiting. Going to the communities increased the trainees awareness on the roles that they must play in conserving their environment and using their natural resources in a sustainable way.

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Module Five – Livestock ProductionThis module was covered in four straight weeks with emphasis given to livestock that are being reared at the Youth Training Centre Nasau even though the module provided that trainees study the following livestock:

Fisheries Poultry; Apiculture; Cattle; Goats; Pigs; Sheep.

As already mentioned above, emphasis was only placed on those livestock that were reared at Nasau as this would also be the platform on which the trainees could do their practical classes here at the Centre without having to go out. This included the following:

Pigs; Poultry; Apiculture; Fisheries.

At the end of this module, the trainees were expected to understand the following headings whilst study the various livestock chosen for their programme:

History and importance of livestock; Enterprises and systems; Environment and management; Harvesting and post-harvest; Use of by-products. What is objective of the Module?

Response from the trainees was quite positive with some of the trainees requesting for plans and quotations for poultry and pig shed that they can use when they return to their communities. With the objective of having to launch these trainees to be commercial farmers someday, a lot of the trainees thought it necessary to do livestock farming so as to provide leverage for the high cost of meat in their localities.

Module Six – Farm Management and MarketingThis is the last of the modules initially designed for the course; however, farm plan development was later removed from this module to be a module on its own, to allow trainees to spend a considerable amount of time on the preparation of their farm plan. At the end of this module, the trainees were expected to have gained an insight and understanding on the following:

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Define the term farm management; Discuss the five major resources in a farm; Discuss the basic important activities involved in farm management; Differentiate between short term and long term goals; State three reasons why keeping records is important; State the importance of farm planning; Discuss variable costs and fixed costs; Use gross margin analysis to determine the relative profitability of different

enterprises of a farm; Formulate a cash flow plan Differentiate between import and export markets; Discuss how to market produce locally.

As the modules are being concluded the trainees are showing enthusiasm on the developments that they intend to undertake in their farms. There was much excitement during the discussion of the gross margin analysis which proved to be an eye opener for the trainees when they are able to match farm produce and the approximate value of the what they produce on the farm to the local market. However, an issue that was constantly raised was the insecurity and unstable markets. Nevertheless, the trainees are eager to implement what they have learnt so far when they return to their farms.

Module Seven – Farm Plan At the end of this module, the trainees were expected to successfully complete their individual farm plans that they are to use when they go back to their farms.

The farm plans are attached.

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Practical Practical work covers for 75% of the work that the trainee do in Nasau. For every module covered, there is a practical that the trainees are required to do apart from the work that they do at the farm every day. Majority of what they do at the farm daily constitutes for a major part of their programmes.

The 15 trainees are usually allocated into one of the three groups per 5 trainees where they do rotational practical work on the three sites around the Youth Training Centre Nasau on a weekly basis. The three sites are as below:

YTC-Nasau farm; OISCA International Fiji farm; Livestock farm

o YTC-Nasau Piggery farm:o YTC-Nasau Poultry farm;o OISCA International Fiji Poultry farm.

Of the five days of training in a week, 3 days are spent on the practical sites while 2 days is allocated for classroom learning.

Below are the modules covered and the practical activity allocated for each module:

Module 1 – General Agricultureo For this module, the trainees are expected to farm study where they were to

identify a farm and compile a brief report on the following areas. Name of farmer/club Location Enterprise Assistance – addressing the following questions

What Who How When Timeline Monitoring and evaluation

The trainees did a farm study on Barara farm, a Chinese owned commercial farm located at Nacocolevu, Sigatoka. All 15 trainees did their individual assessment on the farm under the topics and the questions noted above.

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Module 2 – Soils and Soil Management o For this module, the trainees were expected to do 4 practicals which are listed

below Soil Identification

For this practical, the trainees were tasked with identifying the soil pH, texture and composition on various sites around the Centre.

Soil Profile In groups of 5 (their practical groups) trainees were tasked with

constructing a model of the soil profile. Types of Soil

At various sites around the Centre, the trainees were tasked with identifying different types of soil such as sandy soil; clay soil; silt soil and loam soil.

Liming Materialso For Unit 3 on soil management, trainees in their practical groups the trainees

were tasked with identifying sites for planting of crops and preparation of soil for a model farm. In addition to this, they did practical work on cover cropping; mulching; terracing; contouring; and silt traps.

Module 3 – Crop Productiono As part of their daily training, the practical aspect of this module included the

following: Site selection for new farm sites; Preparation for new seed bed; Process of seed germination; Planting and spacing demonstration for specific crops; Knapsack calibration; Making a compost; Care and maintenance of crops; Pests and disease control; Harvesting and marketing tips; Organic farming

Module 4 – Forestry and Environment o This module incorporates the work OISCA International Fiji does which

included coral planting; marine conservation practices; and tree planting around various sites around the greater Sigatoka area.

Module 5 – Livestock Productiono In their groups of 5, the trainees did farming practical on each of the livestock

farm site which included management practices; harvest and post-harvest tactics; record keeping and maintenance of records.

Module 6 – Farm Management and Marketing

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o The practical for this module unlike the previous modules was done indoors. Trainees were grouped into their 3 groups and were tasked with the following:

Identifying a farming project and determining the short and long term goals for that particular farming project;

Use the gross margin to analyse profits and losses; formulate a cash flow budget.

Module 7 – Farm Plano This module involves the assistance of OISCA Officials in developing of

individual farm plans

Agriculture is a very practical subject. Farmers are expected to spend quite a considerable amount of their time on the farm implementing their farm plans. To help trainees gain more insight and invent news approaches to farming, training at the YTC-Nasau is driven by 75% of practical work.

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Stakeholder ParticipationWeek Date Topic Covered Stakeholder Participating

03-07/02/14 Enrolment and Orientation

10-14/02/14 Seed of Success1 17-21/02/14 Unit 1: Introduction

to Agriculture Police Department

2 24-28/02/14 Unit 2: Soils Unit 3: Soil

Management

Health Land Resource

Planning and Development

3

4

5

03-07/03/14 Unit 4: Crop Production

Nacocolevu Research Station

31/03-04/04/14 OISCA International Taiwan Technical

Mission, Nacocolevu

6789

07-11/04/14 Unit 5: Animal Production

Nacocolevu Research Station 14-18/04/14

21-25/04/14

10

11

28/04-02/05/14 Unit 6: Environment Environment 05-09/05/14 Forestry

1213

12-16/05/14 Unit 7: Farm Management

Nacocolevu Research Station 19-23/05/14

14

15

26-30/05/14 Unit: 8 Marketing Co-Operative Department

02-06/06/14 ANZ Bank16

17

09-13/06/14 Farm Plan and Action Plan

Nacocolevu Research Station

16-20/06/14 F.D.B & IHRDP

18 23-27/06/14 Field Trip19 30/06-04/07/14 Graduation

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In an attempt to expose trainees to as wide an area of understanding on Agriculture as possible, principal stakeholders were identified from relevant line Ministries and Agencies to come and talk to the trainees on specific topics during training.

The stakeholders were identified according to the expertise that they can offer and to allow our trainees to identify those stakeholders who they will need to be engaging with. Identifying stakeholders well before hand will allow the trainees to be on par with the developments that are occurring in the agriculture sector.

Please find below the stakeholder participation engagement table:

Based on the stakeholders we identify in the table above, we send our invitation letters to those identified requesting them to engage with our trainees in the identified areas. Despite all the necessary work being done, we only received 3 stakeholders; the Department go Health from Sigatoka; Taiwan Technical Mission staff; and the Sigatoka Branch Manager of the Fiji Development Bank.

Some government departments have replied to our invitation and have stated that they are willing to attend the intervention, but they do not turn up on their specified dates for intervention.

The challenge remains for us is getting the stakeholders to come and attend their interventions at the indicated time. This is a continuing challenge for us. To limit this challenge, we tried to limit the number of agencies that we want to engage but trying to engage the Department of Agriculture on most of our modules since the Department of Agriculture will be the stop shop for the trainees when they start their own farms. Unfortunately for us, we were not able to engage them even though we have written and have had verbal confirmation from their officers at the Nacocolevu Agriculture Research Station.

The Taiwan Technical Mission has been very helpful and even offered to have our trainees to do a 1 week attachment programme with them focusing on vegetable farm. At the end of that one week attachment, the trainees were given Certificates on Fruit and Vegetable Production. The Director of the Taiwan Technical Mission Office at Nacocolevu has agreed to run the same programme for the Batch 2 trainees of 2014.

The Fiji Development Bank being fully aware of the relationship it will have with the trainees when they start their own farms, was ever ready to assist when possible in areas where we needed their intervention. There was a thorough coverage on the work that the Bank does in helping out farming and how farmers can access their services. It was quite illuminating to most of the trainees who agreed that it was indeed an eye opener for them.

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Field Trip The National Youth Training Centre conducts field trips every year; one each at the end of training for Batches 1 and Batches 2.

This field trip which is scheduled on the 27th of June proposed that the first field trip for year to be held on this date.

16 trainees of the Youth Training Centre - Nasau will participate in this exercise and are expected to be accompanied by at least 3 trainers from the Centre.

The purpose of the field trip is to allow trainees the opportunity to expose themselves to the stark realities around them whilst at the same time, help them link theoretical and practical work that they do at the Youth Training Centre - Nasau to what stakeholders do. This trip will also allow them to understand the key responsibilities, and roles other stakeholders play in which they could also partner in even if it means on a smaller scale. Exposure to the various methods and styles adopted by various organisations and individuals should shape opinions amongst the aspiring young farmers on best practices that they can adopt.

The approach to increasing the numbers of literate farmers, demands that young aspiring farmers be developed through a holistic approach through which each aspiring farmers can find a way that is most relevant and suits them perfectly well.

The objective remains, to create a group of young farmers who can utilise the technical know-how and skills that they adopt whilst being trained at the Centre to launch into commercial farming activities.

As was the practice, field trips are usually scheduled for two days, however, it has been observed that during the two days of field trip, most of the trainees loose grip of the objective of the trip that were organized and supposedly assume the trip to be more of a day sight-seeing trip without much consideration for the lessons they stand to learn from such trips.

Based on this observation, it has been decided against having a 2 day field trip but rather a one day trip with sites carefully selected to allow proper exposure. The logic behind this move is to ensure that trainees are fully aware of what is happening around them. In order to

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improve on the feedback provided by the trainees, an Observation Assessment Sheet has been completed and was used by the trainees during the trip out. The assessment sheet was sent out to the sites managers prior to the field trip so that they can provide some answers on questions raised beforehand in order to allow the travelling team to keep with up with the scheduled itinerary.

The travel itinerary for the field trip had to be changed twice after Officials of the Fiji Correction Services Department proposed that visit to the Naboro Prisons Farm be postponed until after elections this year for security reasons. For this reason, the travel itinerary was changed at the eleventh hour to accommodate the needs and interest of trainees.

Below is the original itinerary for the field trip for Batch 1 of 2014.

Itinerary for Agriculture field trip 27/06/2014Date Time Proposed Site Visit Accommodation

Depart Arrive

27June2014

BREAKFAST

Youth Training Centre Nasau

5.00am 8:00am Prisons Farm10:00am 10:45a

mMesake’s Riverside Farm

11:15am 11:30am

Naduruloulou Fisheries Research StationNaduruloulou Agriculture Research Station

12:00 12:00 LUNCH1:00pm 1:45pm Organic Cocoa Farm2:15pm 4:45pm Sisa’s Farm5:15pm

7:00pmYTC-Nasau

The itinerary identified six sites altogether, even though, Organic Cocoa Farm is an option open to the travelling team which could be forfeited if there is not enough time at hand to cover all six sites. Naduruloulou on this itinerary has been given 30 minutes for the 2 sites (Naduruloulou Agriculture Research Station and the Naduruloulou Fisheries Research Station, mainly because it’s a walk through from one site to another. The three most important sites are the 2 Naduruloulou Research Stations and the Naboro Prisons farm as Naboro is hosts to vegetable and root crop farm; poultry farm; piggery farm; fish farming and honey bee farm. The sites cover everything that the students have been studying. Given that the scale might be too big for an emerging young farmer, the other two sites, that is, Sisa’s farm and Mesake’s River side farm are chosen as these two farmers were ex-trainees and the trainees will be able to relate better to their experiences.

After the confirmation from the Fiji Corrections Services was received, arrangement was made for possible sites that can replace the Fiji Prisons Farm. A few sites were chosen, namely, Ram Sami farm at Navua to cover for poultry farming, Koronivia Research Station. The others sites remained on the itinerary except for the Fiji Prisons Farm.

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GraduationThe graduation of the Batch 1 of 2014 Certificate in Basic Agriculture trainees was held on the 4th of July 2014 after it was postponed for one week. Initially, it was scheduled to be held on the 27th of June 2014, however, it was decided that it be postponed after confirmation was received from OISCA Headquarters in Japan that we will be receiving some of the sponsors of OISCA activities from Japan who will be touring the country on the week of June the 23rd to the 28th.

As can be seen from the programme below, the graduation started at 9:45am and was concluded around 1:00pm.

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The graduation was officiated by the Director for Youth and Sports Mr. William Naisara who presided the programme as the Chief Guest after the Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports had declined due to prior travel arrangements.

All 15 trainees successfully completed the programme and received their Certificates. Below are the names of those who received their Certificate in Basic Agriculture:

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List of Trainees

Batch 1 Agriculture Trainee 2014

1. Adi Mere Komaisavai

2. Aisake Rasuluka

3. Anareta Takoi

4. Josateki Nakabi

5. Kalevati Batina


By 4:00pm of the 28th, the last group of Batch 1 trainees left the compound after presenting their i’tatau at the Centre’s Hall.

ConclusionThe Basic Certificate in Agriculture programme was a success after having 15 youths go through the programme and successfully graduating at the end of the training each receiving a Certificate.

There continues to be challenges faced in roping in stakeholders who played a crucial role in the development of rural farmers. Work still needs to be done in this aspect of training given that the success of a farmers partly depends on how well one networks with the relevant line Ministries and Agencies to assist an individual in carrying out their individual farm plans.

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List of Trainees

Batch 1 Agriculture Trainee 2014

1. Adi Mere Komaisavai

2. Aisake Rasuluka

3. Anareta Takoi

4. Josateki Nakabi

5. Kalevati Batina

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NYTC 2014 Batch 1 Final Report

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