The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural development, food security, and climate-smart farming through an expanding partnership with Jiangsu Province of the People’s Republic of China.
This commitment was highlighted during the official opening of the Agriculture Green Development Workshop in Honiara yesterday, where MALD and its partners celebrated a number of important milestones aimed at supporting the Government’s agriculture development agenda and improving opportunities for farmers across Solomon Islands.
The ceremony saw the handover of agricultural materials from Jiangsu Province to MALD, the presentation of an appointment certificate to MALD’s Agricultural Advisor, the unveiling of the Honiara Rice Demonstration Base under the China–Pacific Island Countries Agriculture Cooperation and Demonstration Centre, and the signing of a tripartite agreement to establish a joint laboratory for climate-smart agriculture.
The joint laboratory will bring together the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS), the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), and MALD’s Research Division to promote research, innovation, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing in support of sustainable agricultural development in Solomon Islands.
The event follows a bilateral meeting held earlier between MALD officials and the Jiangsu delegation to review progress under existing cooperation arrangements and discuss future areas of collaboration.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi welcomed the delegation led by Jiangsu Province Vice Governor Zhao Yan and acknowledged the growing partnership between Solomon Islands and China since diplomatic relations were established in 2019.
“The visit by Your Excellency Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province is a testament to the stronger relation that both our two great countries have nurtured since 2019,” he said.
Minister Wasi said the initiatives launched during the ceremony demonstrate the practical outcomes of cooperation between MALD and Jiangsu Province and support the Government’s vision for a productive, resilient, and food-secure agricultural sector.
Minister Wasi highlighted the progress made since MALD and JAAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Honiara on 22 July 2024. The agreement focuses on developing mechanized commercial rice farming, strengthening agricultural research, promoting the production of maize, fruit trees, nut trees, and vegetables, and facilitating agricultural training and workshops through the China–Pacific Island Countries Agriculture Cooperation and Demonstration Centre.
Through the partnership, JAAS has sent agricultural experts to Solomon Islands and supported the establishment of rice and vegetable demonstration farms aimed at introducing improved farming practices and technologies.
“JAAS has sent its experts to Solomon Islands since 2024 with demo bases for both rice and vegetables now established on the ground,” Minister Wasi said.
The Minister also acknowledged the support received from Jiangsu Province through donations of agricultural machinery, equipment, greenhouse materials, computers, and high-yield crop seeds, as well as opportunities for Solomon Islands students to pursue studies in agricultural institutions in China.
Minister Wasi said the tripartite agreement signed between JAAS, SINU, and MALD represents another significant step forward in strengthening agricultural research and innovation within the country.
“The inclusion of SINU will certainly add value and future sustainability to the growth of agriculture and livestock industry in Solomon Islands,” he said.
He added that the initiatives launched during the ceremony are closely aligned with the policy priorities of the GREAT Government and MALD’s strategic objectives.
Meanwhile Vice Governor Zhao Yan reaffirmed Jiangsu Province’s commitment to supporting Solomon Islands through practical agricultural cooperation, research collaboration, and human resource development.
He described agricultural cooperation as one of the strongest pillars of engagement between China and Solomon Islands and highlighted Jiangsu’s extensive expertise in agricultural science and technology.
“Throughout this process, agricultural cooperation has remained a cornerstone of our practical cooperation,” he said.
Vice Governor Zhao outlined three key priorities for future cooperation: strengthening scientific research and innovation, expanding agricultural demonstration projects, and investing in talent development.
He emphasized that the Honiara Rice Demonstration Base will serve as an important platform for improving rice production and supporting Solomon Islands’ efforts to strengthen food security.
The Vice Governor also highlighted the importance of developing local expertise through training programs and technical exchanges.
“Talent is the foundation of agricultural modernization,” he said. “We hope to cultivate more local professionals with technical expertise, operational competence and management skills.”
The official opening of the Agriculture Green Development Workshop concluded the ceremony and provided an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge and learn from experiences in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture.
For MALD, the partnership with Jiangsu Province continues to deliver practical benefits that support the Government’s agriculture transformation agenda. Through research collaboration, technology transfer, capacity building, and investments in agricultural productivity, the partnership is contributing to stronger food security, increased domestic production, and improved livelihoods for farmers and rural communities throughout Solomon Islands.
