International judges processing the 96 cocoa beans for judging at the Auditorium yesterday

NINETY-SIX cocoa samples from local farmers are running for top position as the Solomon Islands Chocolate Week continues at the national auditorium.

The five-day event of SI Chocolate Week was launched yesterday and convenes six international judges and cocoa farmers across Solomon Islands.

The six international judges, whose backgrounds are chocolate makers and company owners, assessed the beans for first judging while local farmers underwent trade visits yesterday.

After the launching, cocoa experts and farmers went on a field trip to east Guadalcanal for training and hand-on-job particularly on solar drier and fermenting.

Female judge drying cocoa beans

According to a PHAMA Officer, PHAMA is responsible for deploying the six judges and logistics arrangement for the farmers.

She said this is the second time such event is held which and it has attracted lots of cocoa farmers throughout the country and broadens the opportunity to market Solomons beans to the world.

The officer also shares that Solomon Islands beans is high in demand in the world market because of its rich quality.

Meanwhile, the chocolate week will continue to Friday when the top 10 cocoa samples will be finalised and the announcement of the winners and certificate presentation.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, PHAMA, Ministry of Rural Development, ADRA and CEMA are the proud organisers of the event.

The donors are MAL, Australia DFAT, PHAMA and ADRA along with supporting partners— CEMA and World Vision.

Officers from ADRA and CEMA prepare cocoa bean for judging