BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), Franklyn Derek Wasi, visited Auki yesterday.
His visit was primarily to attend a Market Linkage Workshop and to receive updated information regarding the ministry’s work in the province.
Upon arrival yesterday morning, Wasi and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Malaita Provincial Government House to meet with the Premier of Malaita Province, Elijah Asilau’a.
During his keynote address, Minister Wasi stated that the Market Linkage Workshop is significant as the ministry works to strengthen rural livelihoods in terms of agriculture and agribusiness development.
He said that accessibility to markets is the major setback that rural farmers face in their daily hustle.
“Many challenges and setbacks have been faced by rural farmers, especially regarding access to reliable markets, buyers, transport, storage, and business information.
“Even the farmers have struggled to produce quality products from agricultural resources,” he said.
The workshop was part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production and value chains across the provinces.
MALD acknowledged the support from the World Bank through the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project for organising the initiative.
The initiative brought together key stakeholders to build partnerships, improve coordination, and support agricultural growth and rural economic development.
The workshop was attended by the Ministry’s partners, stakeholders, representatives from other ministries, association representatives, and farmers.
Photo credit: MALD
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