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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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

The Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province is running smoothly with normal services to care for sick patients in the province after receiving fresh stock from the National Medical Supply Store.

Director of Nursing at Kilu’ufi Hospital, Richard Maegerea, told Island Sun Auki in an interview that they have just received medical supplies from the National Medical Supply Store.

He said every clinic in the province should have enough medical drugs and treatments, unless they need more.

“At the moment, our clinics in the province should have enough stock of medical treatments and drugs that they need. In the North, East, South, and Central. Unless there is a need for any clinic, then we’ll add it,” he said.

In the meantime, Maegerea stressed that no suspects have been arrested yet in regards to the missing life-saving medicines at Kilu’ufi Hospital Pharmacy in August 2025.

He said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of essential medical drugs at Kilu’ufi Hospital in Malaita Province.

When asked if any suspects have been arrested for the missing medical supplies, Maegerea stressed that until now, no arrests have been made, as they have handed the case over to the police for investigation.

He mentioned that while they suspect some people, no arrests have been made yet.

Island Sun understands that the Minister of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr. Paul Bosawai, said that they are treating the case seriously.

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Solomon Islands’ doctor/nurse to patient ratios behind World Health Organization’s recommended level, Health Minister reveals

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Solomon Islands’ doctor/nurse to patient ratios are behind those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is reported.

The WHO recommends a ratio of one medical doctor for every 1,000 people, and one nurse for every 400 people.

In Solomon Islands, there is one doctor to more than 3,000 patients, and one nurse to around 750 patients.

Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai said currently there are only 251 medical doctors employed under the Public Service and 1,097 nurses and nurse aides working in the country.

These doctors and nurses are serving a growing population which is estimated to be more than 800 thousand.

Speaking in parliament last week Mr Bosawai emphasised that the country is still far from meeting WHO’s recommendations.

Bosawai added that even if doctors working in private clinics were included, the nation would still fall short of the recommended ratios.

He said of the 251 doctors working for government, 179 are stationed at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), 68 are working in provincial areas, and five are assigned to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

The distribution of medical doctors across the country is as follows:

• 12 doctors in Guadalcanal province
• 10 doctors in Malaita province
• Two doctors in Central Island province
• Two doctors in Choiseul
• 11 doctors in the Honiara City Council (HCC)
• Four doctors in Makira-Ulawa province
• Two doctors in Isabel province
• One doctor in Renbel province
• Seven doctors in Western province
• Three doctors in Temotu province

In terms of nursing staff, the Minister reported that there are currently 1,688 registered nurses and nurse aides working across both urban and rural health centres throughout the country.

This figure includes nurses employed by the government through the Public Service, as well as those working in provincial and faith-based hospitals such as Helena Goldie, Atoifi, and Good Samaritan.

Bosawai added that out of the 1,097 registered nurses and nurse aides, 65 percent are stationed in urban areas, including at NRH, while 35% serve in rural health centers.

The WHO’s recommended benchmark for nurses is 25 nurses per 10,000 people, or one nurse for every 400 people.

Bosawai acknowledged that the country is also significantly falling short of this benchmark.

He described this as one of the major challenges facing the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and assured that efforts are underway to address the matter through various means.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A TRIBAL leader from Ranongga Island in Western Province has made an open call to the government to prioritize road development to improve accessibility and unlock the island’s economic potential.

Head of the Niubari tribe, Rodrick Tikera, said his tribe, which owns the land stretching from Niubare to the western end of Ranongga, is ready to work with the government and give access to their land for road construction.

Tikera said road infrastructure is vital for the island’s development, particularly in connecting isolated communities to essential services such as health, education, and markets.

“We often hear stories about disagreements between landowners and the government over development projects. This time, I want to make it clear — my tribe is ready and willing to support the road project,” Tikera said.

He stressed that a proper road network will make it easier for mothers to reach clinics, students to attend schools, and farmers to transport their products to markets.

“Ranongga has many hardworking people who cultivate and harvest coconuts and other crops. However, transportation remains a huge challenge. A proper road will make a big difference,” he added.

Tikera said his tribe’s decision to support development reflects their commitment to improving livelihoods and promoting rural progress.

He urges the national and provincial governments to listen to the people’s call and take concrete steps towards building the road.

“If the government is serious about diversifying infrastructure development and supporting local economies, then Ranongga should not be left behind,” he said.

Tikera’s statement signals a rare moment of cooperation between landowners and authorities, an opportunity that, if acted upon, could change the face of development on Ranongga Island.

*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

CHIEFS, elders, and women of Marava Community in Ranongga Island, Western Province have issued a heartfelt call to the government and education authorities to urgently register Malole Primary School as a stand-alone institution.

The call reflects growing concerns among community members who believe that formal registration will help address long-standing challenges faced by students and teachers.

Rallyn Mary, a teacher at the school, said the upgrade and registration of Malole Primary School will enable it to access direct support and resources that are often directed to its mother school, Pienuna Primary.

“At the moment, Malole Primary is an extension of Pienuna School, meaning most priorities in terms of development always focus on Pienuna. “We receive some support from our mother school, but it’s not enough,” she explained.

Located in the heart of Marava, the school serves three surrounding communities — Malole, Rava, and Patu — providing classes from grades one to five. Despite the dedication of its teachers and communities, many parents still send their children to Pienuna due to Malole’s lack of facilities and resources.

Mary said the school operates with only two teachers, two classrooms, and one staff house.

“We need proper water and sanitation facilities, more classrooms, and teaching materials. “At the moment, there are no toilets for students and teachers,” she said.

Mary said the community’s hopes were briefly lifted when their Member of Parliament promised to build a new staff house.

“We carried the gravel and prepared the building site, but months later, the area is now covered with grass as we continue to wait for assistance,” she said.

With a growing population and increasing demand for education, community leaders believe the registration of Malole Primary School is no longer optional but necessary.

“Our children deserve the same opportunities as others. If Malole becomes a registered school, it will open doors for better support, infrastructure, and a brighter future for our young learners,” Mary said.

For now, the people of Marava, Rava, and Patu continue to wait, holding on to hope that their small school will one day stand tall on its own.

*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)

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