BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Supervising Permanent Secretary, Michael Ho’ota, said the AIM N project is the beginning of a transformative journey for agriculture and food systems in Solomon Islands.
The Government of Solomon Islands and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on Monday, July 28, 2025, signed an agreement to partner on a US$20 million project to boost food security, nutrition and rural income.
In a press statement, Ho’ota said the AIM-N Project is a flagship initiative that seeks to empower our rural communities, strengthen household nutrition, and unlock the full potential of our agriculture sector through inclusive, resilient, and sustainable approaches.
In thanking IFAD and the AIM N project partners, he said this marks the beginning of a transformative journey for agriculture and food systems in the Solomon Islands.
“Therefore, I, on behalf of the Solomon Islands government through the MAL, wish to express my sincere gratitude to IFAD, FAO, and GAFSP. Your collaboration and commitment are instrumental in making this project a reality.
“Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to transforming agriculture where no one is left behind, and where agriculture becomes the cornerstone of a healthier and more prosperous future,” Ho’ota said.
The project is expected to benefit more than 18,000 people, including 6,122 households, 1,800 students, and 90 micro and small enterprises, with strong emphasis on gender and youth inclusion (50% women and 20% youth).
The project consists of four key components:
1. Action for Nutrition – Promoting healthy diets through education and the cultivation of local, diverse, and climate-resilient food crops.
2. Inclusive Market Partnerships – Strengthening value chains, connecting smallholder farmers to markets, and supporting school-based food systems.
3. Investments in Resilient Agri-Food Systems – Providing grants and loans to enhance infrastructure, value addition, and agribusiness development.
4. Rapid Disaster Response – Establishing a safety-net mechanism to protect development gains during natural and economic shocks.
MAL said the AIM-N Project is expected to serve as a model for inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable rural development across Solomon Islands and the Pacific with strong coordination between MAL and provincial governments, and strategic support from IFAD and FAO.
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