MOFCOM provides training course on coconut production and processing technology for Kiribati in 2023

Project narrative

On June 6, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) sponsored the "Training Course on Coconut Production and Processing Technology in Kiribati", held in Tarawa. The opening ceremony was attended by the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Zhaojian; Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Mr. Cui Pengwei; Public Service Office Deputy Secretary, Ms. Wanro Ngutu; and Director, Ms. Riiti Uriam. This was the first in-person overseas training session organized by CATAS since the COVID-19 pandemic. The training aimed to enhance expertise in coconut cultivation, germplasm resource utilization, and processing and was implemented by CATAS in collaboration with the Kiribati Public Service Office (PSO). The 21 session program ran from June 6 to 26, 2023, combining classroom instruction with hands-on field demonstrations. Ten experts from CATAS conducted the sessions, focusing on high-efficiency coconut cultivation, processing technology, and resource utilization. A total of 50 trainees from Kiribati’s Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives; Agriculture and Livestock Division; Kiribati Coconut Development Company; and local communities participated in the training. During the ceremony, Zhao Jian emphasized that increasing coconut production and export diversification is a key priority in Kiribati's KV20 and Coconut Sector Development Strategy. This, he explained, is why the Chinese Embassy and PSO collaborated on launching the training course. Additionally, he pledged that China would provide more than 100 training opportunities for Kiribati in 2023.