BY ALICE T CAMPBELL
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s (MAL) Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI) team successfully carried out an awareness program at Betikama Adventist College.
This is the first school for BSI to carry out awareness at and it also marks the start of its school outreach activities for 2026, a statement from MAL yesterday said.
The event was officiated by the school’s Agriculture head of department, Mr. Kendrick Tango’eha Tahea and attended by students from forms 1 to 7 in the school’s new hall.
The session was delivered by a team of three officers from different units within Biosecurity Solomon Islands, representing the Surveillance Unit, the Biosecurity Emergency Coordination Centre (BECC), and the Publicity and Information Unit.
MAL said the presentation introduced students to the history and role of biosecurity in Solomon Islands, including the shift from the former Solomon Islands Agriculture Quarantine Service to Biosecurity Solomon Islands.
“It also explained how biosecurity helps protect agriculture, the environment, the economy, and public health, while highlighting the country’s links to key international biosecurity organisations and frameworks such as the WTO, IPPC, WOAH, and WHO,” the statement said.
Deputy Principal Mr Kelly Patovaki praised the initiative and encouraged students to consider agriculture as a promising future career path particularly in specialised areas like biosecurity.
BSI Publicity Officer Leon Boso said that school awareness will remain a priority throughout 2026, and they have plans to reach more major schools throughout the year.
“While communication platforms such as social media, radio, and signboards remain important. But Face-to-face awareness continues to be one of the most effective ways to share information directly with communities.
“When combined with other communication methods, awareness efforts can help information reach the public more effectively and create lasting understanding through repetition and engagement,” he said.
Boso stressed that students are future leaders and play an important role when it comes to spreading awareness to families and communities.
The officer highlighted that invasive alien species (IAS) including harmful exotic plants, animals, pests, and disease-causing organisms are an increasing national threat and can spread and severely impact biodiversity and livelihoods.
“Key concerns highlighted were rabies, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans; African swine fever, which threatens the pork industry; Banana Wilt Associated Phytoplasma (BWAP), which poses a significant risk to banana and coconut production; and cocoa pod borer, which continues to threaten the cocoa industry,” said MAL.
Boso pointed out that biosecurity cannot address these challenges alone and that every citizen has a role to play by reporting any unusual insect, pest, disease, or damage affecting crops or animals to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
MAL said Biosecurity Solomon Islands extends its sincere appreciation to Betikama Adventist College for inviting the team to deliver the awareness session.
“Through programs like this, Biosecurity Solomon Islands aims to strengthen public understanding and encourage shared responsibility in protecting Solomon Islands from harmful pests and diseases,” the statement said.
Photo credit: MAL
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