The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Franklyn Derek Wasi has persuaded development partners alike to support agriculture development in Solomon Islands.
He issued the call during the 2024 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Forum held in Nadi, Fiji recently.
Hon. Wasi was presenting at the main plenary of the Solutions Forum on cassava as the crop of choice under the FAO One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) and on Coconut and Poultry as investment choices under the Hand In Hand Initiative (HIHI) also a program under FAO.
Minister Wasi reminded other pacific leaders and development partners including investors and representatives from the academia and CSOs that investing in agriculture will never go wrong as agriculture is the main source of food for all and income earner for many.
Hon. Wasi made specific emphasis on yellow casava from Solomon Islands, as a very versatile crop and widely grown in Solomon Islands as a main staple crop. It is easy to propagate and can be easily converted into many different dishes for Solomon Islanders.
Recently it has become an export crop as the demand for yellow cassava from Solomon Islands is gaining popularity in the Australian market.
Minister Wasi went on to emphasize the importance of the coconut and poultry industries to the economy and livelihood of Solomon Islands citizens.
He called for an investment support of US$40 million combined for poultry and coconut from development partners and investors.
The total investment support will cater for establishment of hatcheries, broiler and layer commercial farms, value chain support, village and farmer support, flock breeding centers, livestock feed production and slaughter facilities.
The investment support would also target coconut plantation rehabilitation which includes nurseries, seed gardens, germplasm, driers, post harvesting and value adding facilities.
– MAL
