The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of the Solomon Islands have signed a partnership agreement for a US$20 million initiative aimed at improving food security, enhancing nutrition and strengthening resilience to climate change. The six-year project will directly benefit more than 18,000 people.
The Agricultural Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) project will build on indigenous farming knowledge to help families grow, purchase and consume more nutritious food.
In the Solomon Islands, around one-third of children under five are stunted, while more than half of adults are overweight — a consequence of mounting pressure on traditional farming systems and the widespread availability of low-cost, imported foods. AIM-N will address these issues by revitalising local food systems and creating sustainable economic opportunities linked to nutrition-focused agriculture.
“This partnership with the Solomon Islands is a critical investment in the health, prosperity and resilience of its rural people,” said Candra Samekto, IFAD country director for the Pacific Islands. “By linking nutrition directly to agricultural production and market access, AIM-N empowers small-scale farmers, particularly women and youth, not just to earn a better living, but to build a healthier future for their families and communities. This project is a testament to our shared commitment to transforming food systems from the ground up.”
The project will combine nutrition education and behaviour change communication with the diversified production of climate-resilient, nutritious local foods. It will support community and household gardens and work with six secondary boarding schools to improve student diets by sourcing food from nearby farmers.
AIM-N will also facilitate partnerships between small-scale farmers and buyers, and help producers upgrade their agricultural practices, improve product quality and develop business skills to meet market standards and earn better returns. Competitive grants will be provided to women’s groups to support nutrition-focused and labour-saving initiatives.
A new line of credit, managed by the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI), will provide loans to micro, small and medium agribusinesses and farmer organisations.
The total cost of the AIM-N project is US$19.82 million. This includes a US$6.1 million grant from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) administered by IFAD, and a US$9.3 million loan from IFAD. A private financial institution will contribute US$820,000, while the Solomon Islands Government and local communities will provide US$1.2 million in domestic co-financing. An additional US$1.4 million in GAFSP funding will be managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Implementation will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) in Choiseul, Isabel and Western provinces. The project is expected to reach 18,330 people across 65 rural communities where subsistence farming remains the primary source of livelihood.
IFAD works closely with the government and development partners to revitalise agriculture, reduce poverty and improve the well-being of Solomon Islanders. Its approach is shaped by its Strategy for Engagement in Small Island Developing States 2022–2027 and a broader framework for supporting communities facing fragility. To date, IFAD has invested nearly US$21 million across five development projects in the Solomon Islands.
