North Malaita agricultural extension officer presented with Pacific Excellence in Extension Award

A North Malaita agricultural extension officer has been selected among entries from all over the Pacific region and awarded with the Outstanding Extension Agent Award 2006.

Agriculture extension officer John Faleka who received the award yesterday is from the Northern Region of Malaita Province.

The award was coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Extension Network (PIEN). PIEN is a concerted effort to coordinate agriculture extension activities in the Pacific.

The coordinating committee included representative from Micronesia, Atoll Islands, Melanesia, Polynesia and French Territories.

Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Israel Wore said the award was to recognize excellence in extension activities and services by men/women who reside and work in Pacific Island countries and Territories and who have made major contributions in the fields of extension, outreach and community development in the Pacific Region.

“This award aims to promote best practices, build capacity and encourage Pacific Islanders who work with communities to improve delivery of extension services. It aims to recognize initiatives by groups or individuals in the field of agricultural extension development and implementation,” Dr. Wore said.

The award was presented to Mr. Faleka by the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. Toswell Kaua at the Fuli Restaurant in Honiara today.

Mr. Faleka, an agriculture extension officer from the Malaita Province is stationed at Malu’u, North Malaita.

This is the first time the award is given out and nominees for the award included government and non-governments extension agents.

Source: GCU