BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA
The Agriculture Investment for Market and Nutrition (AIM-N) project team paid courtesy calls on the provincial governments of Choiseul and Western provinces on Friday and Saturday, Jan 23 and 24.
The primary objective is to formally introduce the AIM-N Project to provincial leadership, clarify implementation arrangements, secure provincial awareness and endorsement ahead of the deployment of AIM-N Provincial Implementation Unit (PIU) staff, an AIM-N statement on Monday (Jan 26) said.
The aim is 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, AIM-N said.
Discussions cover project objectives, implementation structures, staff deployment, operational arrangements, planned activity sequencing for 2026, and alignment with existing provincial programmes.
AIM-N Project Manager 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.
Engagements involve provincial premiers, provincial secretaries, and senior provincial leaders, including heads of key sector ministries and extension offices.
The engagements will also support alignment with provincial development priorities, establish coordination mechanisms, and confirm designated provincial focal points.
It is expected to strengthen provincial ownership, enhance coordination, and support the effective and sustainable rollout of AIM-N activities in the three provinces.
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.
The AIM-N Project is a national flagship initiative financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and development partners, made possible through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
Buala (Isabel Province) will be visited next.
