The first regional training for small-scale tuna canning entrepreneurs in the Pacific started Monday in Majuro. The training aims to certify prospective canners so that commercial tuna canning operations can be successfully launched in several island member nations of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA).
PNA CEO Ludwig Kumoru told participants from RMI, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, and Federated States of Micronesia at Monday’s opening that PNA’s aim is to “bring wealth from the fishery to (PNA members), both governments and people.” He urged participants to see this as an opportunity to grow their businesses or launch new small scale operations. “When business grows, we see that PNA is growing,” he said. “This training in partnership between PNA and the RMI Office of Commerce and Investment demonstrates things that can be done.”
He said islanders needed to move away from the mindset of dependence to taking initiative to start business opportunity. “Start small and grow,” he said. “Believe in yourself.”
The training in Majuro is being conducted by Chris Bourne of the Australia-based company Food Stream. He said classroom and practical training on cooking and canning equipment will be followed by exams in order to ensure participants meet requirements for certification.
PNA is partnering with OCI to host the canning training that runs through Friday. It started Monday at Pan Pacific Foods loining plant in Delap with classroom work, and then a tour of the PPF plant. Tuesday, participants moved to the KMI facility for practice sessions on the cooking and canning equipment.
OCI CEO Ravuni Uluilakeba said the hope is that the training will spur canning operations for domestic markets in all of the PNA nations participating.
Uluilakeba and PNA Commercial Manager Brownjohn emphasized the high standards that need to be followed by canners to ensure the safety of the food products being produced. The training will be conducted in line with Australian food processing standards, said Brownjohn.
Read more about this in the October 14, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.