Unlike many other fruit trees, kiwifruit requires a well-structured trellis system to support its growth and optimize production. Recognizing this need, ARDC Wengkhar, with fund support from CARLEP, introduced the T-bar trellising system to 19 kiwifruit growers in Silambi Geog during the last financial year under a cost-sharing scheme. Since the T-bar trellis system is new to the region, its successful implementation requires ongoing support and capacity-building efforts to ensure farmers can manage their orchards effectively.

In the current financial year, ARDC Wengkhar, again with financial support from CARLEP, organized a three-day Orchard Management Skill Development Program for 22 farmers in Silambi. The aim of this program was to equip farmers with the technical skills to efficiently manage their kiwifruit trees using the T-bar trellis system. The training focused on several key areas, including hands-on demonstrations on the proper techniques for training and pruning kiwifruit vines, basin making to enhance water retention, and trenching for effective manure application. Throughout the three-day program, participants actively engaged in the practical management of the 19 kiwifruit orchards in Silambi. To further support timely pruning and training of the orchard, each participant was provided with secateurs and pruning saws on cost sharing mechanism.

By enhancing the farmers’ skills in orchard management, this initiative is expected to significantly improve the productivity of kiwifruit orchards in the region. The integration of improved trellising systems with enhanced management practices will not only strengthen the framework of the kiwifruit trees but also contribute to the sustainable growth of kiwifruit production in Silambi and beyond.