The Solomon Islands government has officially launched a five-year Japan-backed agricultural research project aimed at strengthening national food security through improved sweet potato production systems and seedling management. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, or MALD, last week welcomed Japanese researchers and partner institut...

A livestock outreach programme conducted by the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation, or SIART, initiative is helping strengthen food security and improve farming practices in rural communities across Makira Province. Through activities including livestock outreach, agribusiness support and extension services, the programme aims to buil...

Australia’s imports of Pacific kava remained elevated in the first quarter of 2026 despite a decline from late-2025 levels, as exporters continued to benefit from expanded market access under Australia’s Kava Pilot Program. According to a quarterly update released by Pacific Trade Invest Australia, Australia imported 42,906 kilograms of kava during the...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has completed a two-day animal health outreach program in Leitongo Village in Central Province, delivering veterinary services and livestock training aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods and food security. The outreach covered the three communities of Leitongo 1, Leitongo 2 and Leitongo 3, where...

The Malaita Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agrifood systems through closer collaboration between government, farmers, businesses and community groups during a provincial consultation workshop held in Auki. The workshop, organised under the theme “Strengthening Provincial Partnerships for Sustainable and Inclusive A...

The Solomon Islands government has repealed the Coconut and Coconut Product Management Fees Regulations 2026 with immediate effect, saying the move is aimed at protecting farmers, supporting exporters and encouraging growth in the country’s coconut industry. The repeal was approved by Acting Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Manas...

A delegation from Bolton Group and Tri Marine, key players in the global tuna and seafood supply chain, has commended the Solomon Islands government for its support of the country’s fisheries sector during a meeting with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. Bolton and Tri Marine, which jointly own National Fisheries Development (NFD) and SolTuna Ltd in Noro...

Officials from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) participated in an international seminar on green development and cooperation in China, as the government looks to strengthen sustainable growth strategies in the agriculture sector. Planning Department Director Danny Lehe and Extension Department Acting Deputy ...

Ten farmers in Fiji have completed a four-day basic beekeeping training in Sabeto, Nadi, as part of efforts to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and diversify rural incomes. The training, conducted under the Farmer Field School activities of the Climate Smart Agriculture Programme, equipped participants with practical skills in bee biology, colo...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has received 142 expressions of interest (EOIs) under its 2026 call for proposals for two flagship initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic food production and reducing reliance on imports. The EOIs cover the Commercial Rice Development Programme (CRDP) and the Poultry Production Strengthe...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is advancing a series of initiatives aimed at transforming the agriculture sector and supporting economic growth in the Solomon Islands. Permanent Secretary Samson Viulu said during a quarterly ministerial update this week that the ministry is implementing key projects and reforms to strengthen agri...

Fiji’s kava industry has transformed into the country’s top agricultural export over the past 15 years, with export earnings exceeding FJD53 million and supporting more than 14,500 farming households. The shift from subsistence production to a commercialised export sector has been driven by rising demand in key markets including Australia, New Zealand ...

The Solomon Islands government is stepping up efforts to advance the Bina Harbour development in Malaita, a flagship fisheries project aimed at transforming the country’s tuna industry and capturing greater economic value from its marine resources. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has prioritised the project in the 2026 budget, allocating...

Newly appointed Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Nestor Giro has signed two funding agreements under the Commercial Agriculture Development Support Project, underscoring the Solomon Islands government’s push to strengthen local agribusinesses. A total of SBD780,000 has been awarded to two enterprises, with Varivao Holdings Limited receivi...

Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, successfully conducted its first school awareness program for 2026 at Betikama Adventist College, marking the start of its school outreach activities for the year. The event was officiated by the school’s Head of Department for Agriculture, Mr Kendrick Tango’eha Tahea, ...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has launched the Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) Project in Western Province, aiming to strengthen agriculture, improve nutrition and boost rural incomes. The project was officially launched in Gizo by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Franklyn Derek Wasi in...