BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A successful two-week training on pattern drafting and sewing reached completion on October 20 in Lepi Village, Isabel Province.

Catering to the first cohort of 12 women and 3 men, the training was facilitated by Joe Lovi, a private entrepreneur and sewing trainer.

The training was made possible through funding support from the Canadian Government under the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and assistance was provided to the Japuana Youth Advocacy Association (JYAA), a community-based and youth-led organisation in Isabel Province.

The project aims to empower rural women and girls economically by providing them with sewing machines and tools, pattern drafting and sewing sessions, and establishing a community sewing club.

One of the female participants expressed her gratitude for the training.

“We often lack such opportunities, and I want to thank the Canadian Government and JYAA for bringing this training to our community. I’ve been sewing for over 10 years, but this training helped me gain new skills in measurement and pattern cutting that I didn’t know before,” she said.

Another participant also shared her excitement saying she can’t express how happy she is.

“I can’t express how happy I am. Using electric sewing machines is a new experience for me – it’s interesting and much easier than using manual machines,” she said.

Under the project, JYAA received 9 electric sewing machines, 2 manual machines, sewing tools, and all necessary sewing consumables.

Mr Lovi highlighted that this was the first group he had trained that was fully equipped with all sewing materials and tools.

Jamal Namo, JYAA Project focal person, encouraged participants to take good care of the machines and make the best use of them to improve their livelihoods.

“You can grow and become economically empowered if you think differently,” he said.

The second cohort for this training is scheduled to begin on November 10, with another 15 participants expected to take part.

Photos: Supplied

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Access to health facilities, such as dental services, is an issue for communities in the southern region of Malaita Province, especially for children and the elderly.

Health issues were brought to the attention of health authorities after a dental team from Kilu’ufi Hospital reached out to the region for dental services in September. 

Acting Chief Dental Officer who led the team, Stewart Kaimauri said that oral health knowledge is also a problem.

He said many people have not had the opportunity to learn important health information, such as how to treat a sick patient, which is something they should know.

He stressed that the remoteness of their communities might be a root cause. 

“Many people do not know the oral health knowledge they should have.

“Some people might be aware, but they are lazy to apply it,” he said.

He added that such remote areas should be equipped with good health facilities and qualified medical personnel.

Meanwhile, Kaimauri calls on the government, especially the Ministry responsible, to work closely with them and focus on reaching out to such areas to serve them.

He mentioned that their outreach programme mainly targets children because they are the future generations.

“Children are those who need to be targeted to have good health because they are the future generations,” he said.

He also urges the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to come up with plans to establish health stations in such areas.

“At a larger level, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services must have plans to build stations in those areas.

“And for Malaita Province, at least one station should be built at Malu’u in the north, Atoifi in the eastern region, and Afio in the southern region,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has officially launched its first-ever Agriculture National Advisory Council, a major milestone for the ministry and the agriculture sector.

MAL Permanent Sectary Samson Viulu highlighted this achievement whilst acknowledging World Food Day 2025 at the Heritage Park Hotel on Monday this week.

“Since its establishment, MAL has never had an advisory council. This new body marks the start of a new chapter in strengthening the country’s agriculture sector,” Mr Viulu said.

During the celebration MAL also officially launched the MAL Corporate Plan 2025–2028.

This highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthen food security, support farmers, and guide the country’s agricultural development over the next four years.

“Today is not a sad day. It a wonderful and happy day for us we celebrate three things. One is the world food day, with the theme, Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.

“We will also be launching our coorperate plan for year 2025- 2028. And finally, we’ll have the launching of the first ever Agriculture National Advisory Council (ANAC) ever since this ministry was established and Solomon Islands gained a political independence.

“We are thankful, this will be a history for this tropical country especially for the agriculture sector in Solomon Islands (SI),” he said.

The event was attended by the MAL Minister Franklyn Wasi, Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Minister Dr Paul Bosawai and development partners, Japanese embassy reps, People’s Republic of China (PRC) embassy reps, UNDPSI deputy resident rep, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) officials, schools, senior government officials and farmers.

Photo: Supplied

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) launched its Corporate Plan 2025–2028 at the Heritage Park Hotel on Monday this week.

The launch coincided with the World Food Day 2025 celebrations. The theme for World Food Day 2025 is “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”.

During the launch Director Planning of MAL Danny Lehe spoke on the guiding principles of the corporate plan, the strategic objective and the key actions.

He said the corporate plan is aligned to the policy focusing on two pillars with the vision and mission to enhance the agricultural sector through innovation, partnership and sustainable resource management.

“To make agriculture attractive at all levels and also to strengthen agriculture, economic backbone of the country.

Lehe explained that the ministry has eight core values.

“The eight strategic objectives of the ministry’s corporate plan, 2025 to 2028, one is effective reform and restructuring for operational efficiency. Two, increase agricultural productivity, through crops, livestock and innovation.

“Three, to strengthen food security and nutrition. Four, stimulate economic growth and rural development. Five, to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Six, safeguard agriculture and livestock sector. Seven, strengthen stakeholder engagement and collaboration and eight, enhance monitoring, evaluation and accountability,” he said.

Lehe stressed that there a few key actions that will be implemented for the ministry to achieve these key strategic objectives.

He mentioned that one of these key actions is to modernise the organisational structure, promote advanced technologies and support research and development, strengthen food system, enhance value chain and encourage agribusiness development, adopt climate resilience practices, strengthen partnership and improve monitoring and transparency.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Agriculture National Advisory Council (ANAC) was established to provide leadership and coordination for the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL) and the agriculture sector transformation in the country.

MAL officially launched its first-ever Agriculture National Advisory Council, a major milestone for the ministry and the agriculture sector, at the Heritage Park Hotel on Monday this week.

Presenting the overview of the ANAC during the launch, MAL Deputy Secretary of Special Duties, Simon Baete’e said that ANAC aims to offer a unified platform for policy guidance and collaboration.

He told participants and delegates that the purpose of ANAC is to provide strategic advice to the Minister and the Permanent Secretary and support the creation of the Agriculture and Livestock Act.

“The objective of ANAC is to guide agricultural policy, strategy, and modernization efforts, support innovation, agribusinesses, and value chain development, build capacity and encourage youth engagement, strengthen coordination between MAL and its development partners, plus its important stakeholders,” he said.

Baete’e said that the function and roles of ANAC is to provide policy and technical advice to MAL leadership and facilitate partnership across government, private sector, and civil societies, youth, and guide modernisation of agriculture legislation, and promote innovation and sustainable farming practices.

He said that the Council consists of 10 experts in production, agribusiness, policy, and research and four co-opted members specialists from related sectors.

He said that the chairperson of the ANAC is the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Secretariat will be handled by MAL policy and planning division. Expected outcomes includes modernised Agriculture and Livestock Act, stronger policies and institutional capacity, enhanced partnerships and collaboration and increased youth and private sector engagement in the sector,” Baete’e said.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Local pineapple farmers in West Kwaio, Malaita Province are delighted with Sulatokwai Pineapple Farmers Association for purchasing their pineapples at their doorstep. 

The initiative aims to help and support West Kwaio pineapple farmers who face challenges in transporting and marketing their produce at local markets in Auki and Honiara. 

A pineapple farmer, Andrew Safita, said this was the first time they sold their pineapples at home and at great prices. 

The association is purchasing large pineapples for at $10 and small pineapples at $5 every Friday morning.

Safita referred to this initiative as a “milestone” pointing out that they have dreamed of a pineapple factory and a buyer coming over to them at home. 

“It is the first time, and it’s truly a milestone achievement for us, the rural pineapple farmers in West Kwaio.

“It is history for us that our pineapple fruits are now purchased at our doorstep,” he said.

Safita mentioned that a few fake promises have been made by their members of Parliament and businesses.

Meanwhile, Sulatokwai Pineapple Farmers Association in their statement expressed that it was their long-term plan and goal to support and provide market opportunities for these rural pineapple farmers.

In the long-run, the association plans to export fresh pineapples to overseas markets.

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

A nurse has been found for the Sikaiana atolls of Malaita Outer Islands, and will be deployed once oriented and prepared for the task.

Sikaiana has gone one year without access to medical and health service after the last nurse on the atoll left in October last year.

Since then, people and provincial leader of Sikaiana have called on the national health/medical ministry and Malaita provincial health to send a nurse to the atoll.

Director of Nursing at Kilu’ufi Hospital, Richard Maegerea, in an interview with Island Sun Auki yesterday said a nurse has been found who is willing to go and serve in Sikaiana.

“Yes, the nurse who will be traveling to Sikaiana is on orientation. He has willingly decided to travel and serve at Sikaiana.

“After the orientation, the nurse should be deployed to Sikaiana and serve at the clinic,” he said.

He also emphasized that the nurse has to build his relationship with the people and cooperate with them.

“You have to build a relationship with people there. Cooperation and working together are vital when living in places like that,” he said. 

The lack of medical and health services on Sikaiana had reportedly affected other sectors such as education, food security and livelihoods.

Island Sun had reported earlier that teachers had left Sikaiana for Honiara, bringing their sick children or accompanying their loved ones who were sick, seeking medical attention in the capital.

This reportedly caused the only school on the island to be critically low on teacher numbers.

Prolonged sicknesses without proper medical care have left many families without abled-bodied members to find food from the land and sea to feed the family.

Photo: Thomas Sapivaka

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Guadalcanal Province, William Atu said his government recently reopened three clinics in the province.

These clinics are part of 10 clinics that were closed in previous years due to issues related to land and other challenges.

Premier Atu made the announcement during the 19th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Gwaena’alu Association, formerly known as the Moro Movement at the Turarana Cultural Centre in Central Guadalcanal last week.

He described the reopening of the clinics as a significant achievement, reflecting his government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access for communities across the province.

“The closure of these clinics in past years created challenges for the people of rural Guadalcanal. However, since my government took office, we have successfully reopened three clinics; one on the Weather Coast and two on the western side of the province,” the Premier said.

Atu also acknowledged the crucial support from landowners and other stakeholders, which played a key role in the reopening process.

He stressed the importance of respecting healthcare workers, particularly nurses, in the province.

“One of the main reasons these clinics closed in the past was due to hostility towards the nurses working there. Land issues also contributed to the closures.

“I want to urge our people to respect our nurses. We should allow them to use our land and sea to grow food and fish, so they can stay with us and continue to serve our communities,” Atu said.

The Premier reassured the public that his government remains committed to improve the health sector and address other issues that will contribute to the overall development of Guadalcanal province.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Premier of Guadalcanal Province, William Atu, has announced that his government is taking decisive action to improve education services in the province.

A key milestone in this effort is an agreement between the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and Guadalcanal Province, making it the first province to sign an agency agreement with the ministry under the new Education Act 2023.

Premier Atu explained that one of the main reasons for establishing this agreement was the concerning performance of schoolchildren from Guadalcanal revealed in recent reports.

He described the findings as “sad,” and warned that if this trend continues, schools in Guadalcanal will struggle to compete with those across the Solomon Islands.

“We need educated people in our province, and education is the only way forward. But if teacher absenteeism persists and parents are not actively supporting their children’s education, we don’t expect miracles,” Atu said.

The premier also pointed out that mobile phones have become a significant contributing factor to poor student performance, with many schoolchildren spending more time on phones than studying.

He calls for urgent action to address this issue.

Atu said following the signing of the agreement, the province has recruited a new Chief Education Officer (CEO) and Principal Education Officers (PEOs) to oversee various regions of Guadalcanal.

“These officials will visit schools to ensure that students, teachers, and other stakeholders are fulfilling their responsibilities.

“So far, their findings indicate that in areas outside Honiara, teacher absenteeism is alarmingly high and this is something that needs immediate attention,” he said.

Additionally, Premier Atu highlighted the rapid population growth in Guadalcanal, noting that the province’s birth rate is currently 3.2%, surpassing the national rate of 2.7%.

“I raise this concern because a growing population will put further strain on our schools, and there may not be enough space to accommodate all the children,” Atu said.

He also emphasized while the population is increasing, the country’s economic growth is not keeping pace, which could lead to greater social challenges within our communities.

The Premier warned that, without proper intervention, the province could face a situation in the next decade where large portions of the population could become illiterate, posing a significant problem for the future.

While emphasizing the importance of improving education in the province, Atu appeals to schools, teachers, and other stakeholders for their continued support in these efforts.

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