The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) has taken another step in its efforts to revive Solomon Islands’ agricultural sector, leading a mission to Brisbane to explore partnership opportunities with Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd, a well-established manufacturer of livestock feed premixes and nutritional supplements.
The delegation was led by CEMA Director Simon Chottu and Board Director Joseph Huta. The mission focused on identifying practical collaborations that could advance the authority’s Strategic Transformation Plan, which aims to modernise farming and improve food security across the country.
Discussions centred on two key opportunities. The first, the Local Feeds Project, seeks to develop customised nutritional supplements for poultry, pigs, and cattle using home-grown ingredients such as copra meal, cassava, and rice bran. The second involves exploring the export of copra meal — both organic and non-organic — to Australia, potentially opening up fresh markets for coconut growers and processors in Solomon Islands.
“This partnership is very much in line with the government’s policy on agricultural diversification and food security,” Mr Chottu said. “It offers us a chance not only to cut down on imported feeds but also to create new value-adding opportunities for our farmers.”
Mr Huta added that the economic potential was equally important. “By creating value-added production chains, we can deliver stronger financial benefits for farmers and cooperatives. This is about ensuring that agriculture works for rural households and communities.”
Applied Nutrition’s Technical Director, Dr Michael Evans, welcomed the initiative. He expressed the company’s enthusiasm for building long-term relationships with Solomon Islands’ stakeholders. “We see great potential in these discussions, and we are committed to working together to achieve outcomes that are beneficial for both sides,” he said.
The next phase of the collaboration will involve compiling ingredient data and conducting further assessments to prepare for pilot projects and future export readiness.
This initiative is part of the Solomon Islands Government’s wider push to revitalise CEMA, empower rural farmers, diversify exports, and strengthen the country’s food security. For many in the agricultural sector, it represents a practical pathway towards resilience and sustainable growth.
