The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and the FAO Sustainable Transformation of Domestic AgriFood Systems (STODAS) Multi-Disciplinary forum team made a courtesy visit to the office of the Premier of Malaita Province.
This is to brief the provincial government about the collaboration between MAL and FAO STODAS project and activities earmarked for the province.
The team was received and met by the Deputy Provincial Secretary Peter Herehura and Human Resource Manager Richard Misi, both welcome the team to Auki expressing their optimism and looks forward for closer collaborative support to enhance food security and improved livelihoods for Malaita Province.
The delegation is in Auki to conduct a two days Agrifood Systems Multi-Disciplinary forum.
The Auki forum brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from across the province’s Agrifood System, including government ministries, development partners, NGOs, agribusinesses entrepreneurs, farmer groups, Church Group and community and school leaders.
By facilitating open discussions and collaborative dialogue, the forum aims to identify the key gaps, overlaps, synergies, and opportunities within the province’s Agrifood system value chains.
Opening the Auki forum was Malaita province deputy secretary Peter Herehura.
“It is my profound honor to stand before you today as Guest of Honor at this pivotal forum. As we gather in Auki, the heartbeat of Malaita Province, I am reminded of the wisdom in the famous sayingofJohn Heywood — “many hands make light work” but I to would like to rephrase it to ‘Many voices make light work. Together, we are shaping the future of our Agrifood systems for our communities, our nation, and generations to come.”
The two days forum started on Tuesday 11th and concludes Wednesday 12th February 2025, with the theme “Transforming Agrifood Systems for Sustainable Development: Bridging Gaps, Fostering Collaboration.”
“He said in Malaita, initiatives like the Farmer Field School in Gounafiu demonstrate how climate-smart practices revive taro production gives hope. Such efforts align with our four pillars for transformation.
The deputy secretary in his remarks explained the four pillars he believes could be the catalyst for transforming the province’s agrifood system value chain as follows;
- Resilience: Scaling up drought-resistant crops and soil conservation, as seen in Takwa and Gounafiu, to buffer against climate shocks.
- Health: Prioritizing nutrient-rich staples like breadfruit over processed imports to combat malnutrition and NCDs.
- Equity: Expanding programs to empower women and youth in value chains.
- Policy Action: Aligning provincial strategies with the National Agriculture Sector Plan to secure funding and technical support.
“He calls to our farmers that your traditional knowledge is irreplaceable—let’s blend it with innovation. To processors and marketers: Invest in packaging that celebrates our ‘Made in Malaita’ pride. To partners: Align your projects with our provincial priorities for lasting impact.
Today, I challenge you all: How might we halve post-harvest losses in five years? Can we create a provincial food hub to rival Honiara’s markets? Let us draft actionable solutions, not just resolutions,” he said.
Also speaking during the opening ceremony is Genevieve Hussain Technical advisor FAO STODAS Project based in Fiji and local project consultant Andrew Sale, highlighting the project objectives and visions, the importance of hosting such multi-disciplinary forums in the provinces to identify the key gaps, overlaps, synergies, and opportunities within the province’s Agrifood system value chains.
– MAL
