THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MALS) will pay 50,000 oil palm seedlings from Guadalcanal Palm Oil Plantation (GGPOL) to be planted at the proposed Aluta and Waisisi Oil Palm plantation.
Palm Oil National Coordinator George Boe said the 50,000 oil palm seedlings will be distributed equally to Waisisi and Aluta palm oil plantations on Malaita.
“We have already secured the seedlings, but we are only waiting for the passage of the national budget,” Mr Boe said.
He said the move is the start of progressing work on the two proposed plantation sites.
“The government is serous in ensuring these two national projects started rolling.”
Meanwhile another cargo of 10,000 oil palm seedlings is heading here from Malaysia.
Minister of MAL Augustine Auga said the seedlings are expected in the country next month.
“They are also designated to Aluta and Waisisi. This is part of the efforts to boost oil palm plantations in the country,” Mr Auga said.
“As soon the seedlings are arrived, we will dispatch them directly to the two propose oil palm plantation so that planting can start.
The minister said the two proposed plantations on Malaita are one of his ministry’s priority focus this year and beyond.
“These two biggest palm oil projects in Malaita would be my prime priorities. I will make sure development of these proposed sites progressed.
“I understand that this projects were abandoned by the last government but people in those areas and Malaita must be assured that this is a new government, and we will focus on these developments,’’ Mr Auga said.
Meanwhile he said his first visit to Aluta and Waisisi is scheduled for March this year after the national budget is passed.
By DENVER NEWTER
