The Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government has reaffirmed its support for the establishment of a Provincial Food Council as part of broader efforts to strengthen food security, agricultural development and rural livelihoods across the province.
Speaking at the opening of the Provincial Agrifood System Consultation Workshop in Kirakira on June 9, Deputy Premier Hon. Stephen Ngara said agriculture remains the backbone of Makira-Ulawa's economy, providing livelihoods, supporting food security and contributing to community wellbeing.
The workshop, held under the theme "Strengthening Provincial Partnerships for Sustainable and Inclusive Agrifood Systems," brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, farmer organizations, churches, women and youth groups to discuss the future direction of the province's agrifood sector.
Ngara said the province continues to face challenges despite its strong agricultural base and abundant natural resources. These include limited market access, infrastructure constraints, post-harvest losses and insufficient investment in food value chains.
He said addressing these issues would require stronger coordination among stakeholders and a more inclusive approach to agricultural development.
A key outcome being pursued through the consultation is the establishment of a Provincial Food Council, which would serve as a platform to coordinate stakeholders and guide agriculture and food-system development based on provincial priorities.
The workshop also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in supporting agricultural value chains, improving market access and attracting investment into the sector.
Ngara said the proposed council aligns with the PACRA government's priorities of strengthening food and nutrition security, promoting sustainable agricultural production, creating rural employment opportunities and improving resilience to climate change.
He acknowledged the support of the European Union, which is funding the initiative, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization for providing technical assistance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for facilitating the program.
The consultation formed part of the Strengthening Provincial Food Councils and Agrifood Public-Private Partnership initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The ministry team was led by Deputy Director for Planning and Management Jules Damutalau and included officials from the extension and livestock divisions.
During their visit to Kirakira, the team conducted consultations with local institutions, including Kirakira Hospital, Kirakira Correctional Centre, market vendors, farmers, Waimapuru National Secondary School and private-sector stakeholders to gather input on the province's food system needs.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry delegation, Damutalau said the initiative aims to foster closer collaboration between provincial authorities, farmers, non-government organizations and private-sector partners.
"Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with provincial authorities, farmers, NGOs and private-sector partners to set up a model that could transform Makira-Ulawa Province's agrifood systems," he said.
He added that the provincial government's commitment to agriculture provides a strong foundation for achieving that transformation.
The consultation workshop concluded on June 10, with provincial leaders expressing confidence that the discussions would lead to practical measures to strengthen agriculture and food systems throughout Makira-Ulawa.
