BY GEORGINA KEKEA
UNDER the RDPII – Component 2 project, three rural businesses from two provinces took delivery of their vehicles yesterday at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Headquarter. Handing over the vehicles, Permanent Secretary (PS) of MAL, Jimi Saelea says transport is a critical element that is necessary to move products from one place to another.
“In agriculture, transport is essential to move products from farm to market. From farm to factories, from factories to wharves and so on,” Mr Saelea said.
The three businesses that took delivery of the vehicles yesterday were Tupaghota cocoa partnership of North Guadalcanal, EF Farmers Support Network of East Fataleka and DME Rela Crushing Mill of Central Kwara’ae, Malaita province.
“These are but three of eleven partnerships that are being provided transport vehicles to enhance their business activities,” says Saelea.
Saelea says it is in the best interest of all partners to make sure cordial working relationships exist as it is a win-win game for all. He says the success of the lead partner depends on the success of the producers or partners.
“Therefore with vehicles provided to meet transport needs, respective partnerships are expected to see improvement in output through increased volumes in coconut oil, cocoa beans and copra. I do wish the three business partnerships that are represented today all the success. Your success will contribute to growing the economy of Solomon Islands.”
Nine other business partnerships are yet to receive their vehicles and the Permanent Secretary of MAL urges all the recipients to look after their vehicles properly. He says they are fortunate to receive such expensive items therefore it is very important that they also look after these items.
“Much is expected where much is given,” he quoted.
“Meaning that expectation for you to perform is greater now with this support.”
Saelea on behalf of the government thanked their development partners namely DFAT, World Bank, International Fund for Agriculture Development, EU and the RDP team for making this support possible for our agriculture sector developers.
Rural Development Project (RDP) is setup to improve access to basic services in rural areas and the production and productivity of farmers through two components.
Component one is community and infrastructure services and component two is Agriculture partnerships.
Component two mainly assists farming households to engage in productive partnerships with commercial enterprises as well as builds the capacity of MAL to deliver its core functions of regulation.
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