BY ALICE T CAMPBELL
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has dismissed reports claiming government had provided $20 million to SAPE Farm, calling the figure “incorrect and misleading”.
SAPE Farm is owned by MP for North Guadalcanal Dr Paul Popora Bosawai, and is the largest cassava farm in the country.
According to MAL, the accurate support from the Solomon Islands Government since 2020 totals about $7.4 million.
This includes $5.11 million in direct financial assistance and SBD 2.28 million in indirect support such as machinery, infrastructure, and supplier payments, a statement by MAL yesterday said.
The partnership with SAPE Farm was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen food security in Honiara.
SAPE Farm was chosen for its capacity, land availability, and commitment to expanding production of root crops like cassava and sweet potato, the statement said.
MAL emphasised that the support was spread across several years and activities, not given as single payment. In addition, SAPE Farm itself invested around $16.5 million, while development partners contributed about $1.2 million.
This brings total investment to $25.1 million, with the government’s share about 29 percent, MAL said.
The Ministry said that SAPE Farm is a successful example of public-private partnership, assisting supply food to households, quarantine centres, and health facilities during the pandemic.
MAL reaffirms its commitment to transparency and accountability and invites further inquiries through its official channels.
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