The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), through the Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) Project, is conducting official courtesy calls to the Provincial Governments of Western, Choiseul, and Isabel Provinces as part of preparations for the provincial level project implementation.
The AIM-N Project is a national flagship initiative financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and development partners.
It aims to strengthen nutrition and livelihoods through integrated investments in agriculture, market systems, school food initiatives, women’s economic empowerment, and institutional capacity building, while embedding gender equality, climate resilience, and learning components.
Courtesy visits have commenced on Friday 23rd January 2026 in Gizo (Western Province), Saturday 24th in Taro (Choiseul Province), and Buala (Isabel Province) to follow, with engagements involving Provincial Premiers, Provincial Secretaries, and senior provincial leaders, including heads of key sector ministries and extension offices.
The primary objective of the visits is to formally introduce the AIM-N Project to provincial leadership, clarify implementation arrangements, and secure provincial awareness and endorsement ahead of the deployment of AIM-N Provincial Implementation Unit (PIU) staff. The engagements will also support alignment with provincial development priorities, establish coordination mechanisms, and confirm designated provincial focal points.
AIM-N Project Manager Ms. Samantha Maeke said early engagement is essential to ensuring coordinated and effective delivery.
“These courtesy calls provide an important foundation for strong partnerships with Provincial Governments. Early engagement ensures AIM-N interventions are aligned with provincial priorities, strengthens local ownership, and supports sustainable improvements in agricultural productivity, nutrition outcomes, and rural livelihoods,”Ms. Maeke said.
Discussions will cover project objectives, implementation structures, staff deployment, operational arrangements, planned activity sequencing for 2026, and alignment with existing provincial programmes.
The courtesy calls will be led by senior MAL officials in collaboration with AIM-N Project staff,
The initiative forms a key component of AIM-N’s 2026 readiness activities and aligns with MAL leadership directives and IFAD best practices for decentralised programme delivery. It is expected to strengthen provincial ownership, enhance coordination, and support the effective and sustainable rollout of AIM-N activities in the three provinces.
