The Pacific Community’s (SPC) Land Resources Division partnered with the Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture recently to build national capacity in plant and soil health through a week of hands-on training in Rarotonga.
SPC specialists Dr Rohit Lal (soil scientist) and Nitesh Nand (plant health technician) worked alongside Ministry staff to enhance skills in soil management, pest and disease identification, and sustainable crop protection, equipping extension officers to advise farmers on long-term, environmentally responsible practices that support higher, more reliable yields.
The training focused on key crops, including pawpaw, watermelon, taro, staple tubers, and commonly grown vegetables across the islands.
“We’re helping officers correctly identify pests and diseases, manage them without harming nature, and build soil fertility so yields stay strong and sustainable,” Dr Lal said.
He noted that many production challenges in the Pacific were linked to degraded soils from continuous cultivation without replenishing organic matter. Drawing on comparable experience in Fiji, he emphasised that soil health must sit at the heart of crop production planning.
The programme combined classroom and field components. The Plant Health Clinic enabled farmers and extension staff to bring samples for diagnosis and advice, as well as participate in a practical farmer workshop.
Field visits assessed the observation and the analysis of pest pressure in situ, recognising that populations vary by season and farm conditions.
“Often what looks like a pest or disease is a nutrient issue,” Dr Lal explained. “For example, black end rot in watermelon is linked to calcium deficiency, not a pathogen.”
The training also promoted practices that rebuild soil organic matter, including fallow periods and cover crops such as mucuna, and cautioned against over-use of chemicals and inappropriate use of heavy machinery that could cause compaction and erosion.
Welcoming the collaboration, Director for Crop Research at the Ministry of Agriculture, William Wigmore, said integrated farming systems were endorsed globally, including by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“Like human health, we need to treat root causes. Quick fixes with pesticides and fertilisers can weaken soils over time. Healthy soils grow healthy plants - just as a good diet sustains a healthy body,” he said.
He noted local pest concerns, including aphids, leaf miners, diamondback moths, mealybugs and scale insects, and highlighted vigilance against threats such as papaya ringspot virus and invasive species present in the region.
“With increasing trade and travel, the risk of pest introduction is real,” he added. “Ongoing training, monitoring and farmer education are essential to protect agriculture and food security.”
Director of Advisory Services at the Ministry, Cecilia Samuela-Tou Ariki, said the workshops build on training initiated last year to strengthen frontline capacity: “These sessions are about improving detection in the field and giving farmers practical solutions,” she said.
This initiative is part of SPC’s regional work to support climate-resilient, productive, and sustainable agriculture across the Pacific.
