AGRICULTURE EXTENSION OFFICERS NOW BETTER EQUIPPED

A Xperia tablet. Photo credit: buybesttablets2015.com

Agriculture extension officers will now be equipped with the latest technology to help boost food crops and combat pests affecting production.

Last week Biosecurity Advisor to the Solomon Islands Mr. Bob Macfarlane presented 27 digital tablets to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for Extension Officers in the Provinces.

A statement from the Agriculture office said the tablets were provided through the Australian Solomon Islands BiosecurityDevelopment Program funded by the Australian Government.

They were loaded with the recently developed App “Pacific Pests andPathogens” containing fact sheets on over 250 pests of plant crops throughout the Pacific.

Speaking at the handover, Mr. Macfarlane said, “Most of the pest in the App are present in Solomon Islands so the fact sheets will provide essential information on their identification, biology, and control methods.