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TECHNOLOGY BOOST

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MALD commences UAT phase of Digital Farmer Registry

BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has officially commenced the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase of its innovation, Digital Farmer Registry (DFR).

MALD in a statement yesterday said kick-off online zoom session took place yesterday at the ministry’s headquarters in Honiara, marking a significant milestone in the country’s drive to modernize agricultural data management and empower farmers nationwide.

The ministry said the DFR initiative funded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the Catalysing Agrifood Systems through Digitalization project (TCP/SAP/3909), is a strategic effort to establish a centralized, sustainable, and interoperable digital platform.

As stated, the DFR is designed to streamline the registration, identification, and management of farmers, farms, and agricultural activities and it is a system that aims to revolutionise how agricultural data is collected, analysed, and utilized by government agencies and partners.

“The Digital Farmer Registry is more than just a database—it is a vital tool to enhance planning, policy development, and farmer support services.

“By creating a single source of accurate and comprehensive data, the platform will enable the government to deliver targeted assistance, optimize resource allocation, and foster sustainable agricultural growth across the country,” said the statement.

The ministry said the UAT involves real users testing the platform’s functionalities across web and mobile applications to ensure it meets operational requirements, is user-friendly, and is ready for full deployment.

“Key modules under review include farmer self-registration portals, enumerator data collection tools, and administrative management features—all critical components for the platform’s success.

“Farmers, enumerators, system administrators, and MALD officials will be actively participating in this process, providing valuable feedback to refine and improve the system. This collaborative approach ensures that the DFR is tailored to local needs, sustainable, and positioned for long-term impact,” said the statement.

MALD said following the successful completion of UAT, the team will analyse feedback, address any issues identified, and prepare for the official rollout.

The Ministry highlighted that this digital transformation exemplifies its commitment to leveraging innovative technology for resilient, food-secure, and inclusive agricultural development.

“This initiative highlights the strong partnership between the Solomon Islands government and international agencies to harness digital solutions for sustainable growth. The DFR will serve as a model for digital agriculture across the Pacific region, fostering innovation, resilience, and rural prosperity,” said the statement.

Photo credit: MALD

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INSPIRING FUTURE STARS

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Vanuatu United motivates Mbua Valley students during community visit

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Students of Mbua Valley School received a special visit from players of Vanuatu United FC yesterday as part of the club’s community engagement activities ahead of Round 4 of the OFC Pro League in Honiara.

The two-hour engagement saw players interacting with students, delivering motivational messages about football as a professional pathway, and encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through hard work and discipline.

Speaking during the visit, a Vanuatu United FC right winger Otto Ingham said it was a privilege for the team to connect with the students who share the same passion for the sport.

“It’s obviously a privilege to come to the school here today and meet all the kids who are very passionate about football.

“So, it’s nice that we share the same passion for football and hopefully with the platform of OFC they can strive to play professionally as well. Hopefully we can inspire them to do that,” Ingham said.

Ingham also encouraged students to remain determined in their pursuit of their ambitions.

“You always have to work hard, but also believe in yourself. The journey isn’t always nice and easy and straightforward. There will always be challenges, but no matter what the challenge is you have to battle through it and keep believing in yourself,” he said.

During the visit, the team also announced that free tournament tickets would be distributed to students through the school’s head teacher.

Mbua Valley School sports master, Mr Bonnie Resture Jnr Pugeva, welcomed the visit and said it had a positive impact on students.

“The visitation from the Vanuatu team that came to Mbua Valley School has a big impact not only on education but also in boosting sports in the school,” Pugeva said.

“Our children really love sport, especially soccer which they are already interested in. The visit will definitely boost their morale and inspire them to continue with their sporting journey.”

He added that the engagement also helps strengthen relationships between the team and the school community.

“In fact, they came here to make a good relationship with the students so that the team can be confident and understand that outside they have supporters from this school,” he said.

Pugeva said such visits play an important role in shaping young athletes.

“The visit of the Vanuatu team today gives a big impact on the interest of the kids. It encourages them and gives them a good mindset in sports so that they can become good athletes in the future,” he added.

Photo credit: Richard Menanopo

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SI floorball squads ready for group opponents in world championship in Spain

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BY TONY IROGA

Solomon Islands men’s and women’s national teams are gearing up for the 2026 3v3 World Floorball Championships.

The 3×3 World Floorball Champions is set for June 12–14 in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.

In the men’s competition, Solomon Islands will compete in Group B against Ukraine, Iceland, Côte d’Ivoire, and 2024 champions Latvia.

Floorball Federation of Solomon Islands President Adam Olofsson said the women’s team is also drawn in Group B and will face former champions Finland, along with Italy, Iceland and the United States.

“The both teams currently have 16 players in training, with the final six players for each squad to be named in May,” he said.

He said the federation is still seeking sponsorship support ahead of the tournament.

Olofsson said the top teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, while the remaining teams will play additional matches to determine final world rankings.

The national team, known as the Basiotos, recently competed in the AOFC World Floorball Championship Qualifiers in Willington, New Zealand, January 2026.

They also achieved a historic milestone by securing their first ever international win, defeating Hong Kong China 8-1 to finish in 9th place.

The Solomon Islands Men’s and Women’s floorball league are currently in playoffs semi-final matches ahead of qualifiers for Spain.

Photo: FFSI

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Solomon Power holds 2026 commissioning mass at Holy Cross

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Staff of Solomon Power had their commissioning mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, marking the start of the company’s work and commitments for the year.

The special service brought together employees, management and leadership in prayer and reflection, a statement from Solomon Power in its Facebook page yesterday said.

The mass served as a moment for the company to seek guidance and blessings as they continue their mission of providing reliable electricity services to communities throughout the Solomon Islands, Solomon Power said.

During the service Chairman of Solomon Power, David Quan expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who attended.

The gathering symbolised unity, faith and the shared purpose of serving the nation through the work of Solomon Power, said Mr Quan.

Quan also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the staff, highlighting the vital role of each employee plays in delivering crucial services to the people of the Solomon Islands.

He encouraged staff members to continue working together with integrity, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility in the year ahead.

Employees also shared their pride in being part of the occasion, describing it as a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their roles and begin the year with a positive and hopeful spirit, the statement said.

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Tandai highway upgrades progressing in West Honiara

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

Roadworks along the Tandai Highway have reached a major milestone, with the St John School T‑intersection and the Rove Roundabout now substantially complete.

Both lanes are open to traffic through the Rove area, a statement by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) in a statement yesterday said.

The project has now shifted focus to the Rifle Range Roundabout, where work is underway on the seaside section.

Crews are preparing the subbase and stabilising foundations before moving on to concrete works and then the landside section, MID said.

“The Tandai‑Rifle Ridge Roundabout is a critical traffic node. Upgrading this intersection will enhance safety, reduce congestion, and deliver long‑term benefits for Honiara,” Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Allan Lilia said.

MID urges drivers to follow traffic signs and management instructions.

Delays are expected due to limited alternative routes, the statement said.

The upgrades form part of the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP), jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).

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MFMR boosts fish handling skills in Temotu Province

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) through its provincial fisheries division recently concluded a four-day fish handling training programme in Lata Temotu Province from February 16-20.

This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing the local fishing industry and supporting the government’s broader development goals.

A press statement from MFMR on Wednesday this week said the comprehensive training in collaborative effort with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and WorldFish aligns with the policy priorities of the Government for the National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

The programme equipped local fishers with essential skills designed to improve fish quality, to ensure seafood and reduce post-harvest losses, ultimately aiming to enhance income opportunities for participants.

The statement said key skills imparted included assessing fish freshness using the Quality Index Method (QIM), maintaining proper hygiene and utilising personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Grammer education gains momentum in Solomon Islands

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

Education on grammar is gaining momentum as more and more Solomon Islanders take courses on the subject in two local institutions.

30 years ago, the word grammar was not often heard of in its use, and to become a common word across the Solomon Islands.

A statement by the Islands Bible Ministries in its Facebook page yesterday said for decades the study of grammar was largely confined to interpreter and language teachers, but a significant shift has occurred over the past two decades with two key organisations leading the charge in promoting its importance.

The Kulu Language institute and Islands Bible Ministries have been instrumental in focusing on writing and teaching English language and Biblical languages.

The statement said their grammar courses have attracted thousands of participants, including primary and secondary school students, teachers, other professionals, preschools, pastors and the general public.

The interest in this course has shown consistent growth year after year.

Dr Alpheaus G Zobule said that with over 70 languages is spoken in the country and English serves as the language of education.

The increasing attention to grammar is hardly surprising, many Solomon Islanders are multilingual speakers highlighting the practical need for strong grammatical understanding, he said.

Further solidifying this trend, the Education Act 2023 has designated English as the principal language of instruction from the primary level, Zobule said.

Zobule said the Act also recognises the uses of local’s languages, Pijin and even sign language to facilitate learning.

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R-WASH training improves sanitation in Ward 14 Malaita

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Communities in Ward 14, Lau Baelelea constituency, Malaita Province, can now access improved sanitation.

This was after an R-WASH training on sanitation was held this month in the communities of Ward 14.

The training focused on teaching community members how to make toilet bowls, septic systems and build houses around them.

Chairman of the ward development committee, Knoxley Atu said their communities are excited and thankful for the R-WASH sanitation training, from which they have learned a lot.

Atu said that after the training community members made their own latrine bowls, septic systems and built their ablution houses.

He said the training has improved their living conditions by providing better sanitation.

“This training has practically improved our living in terms of sanitation.

“Most of our households have used traditional ways of accessing toilets, where men go to one side and women use the bushes on the other side, but with the training, we can build proper toilets,” he said.

He said that a few households that have the required materials have also built their own toilets close to their houses.

“Some of us who already have materials like cement, mesh wire, steel rods, and timber have also built our own toilets,” he said.

He said that once they have completed building sanitation facilities for their communities, they will move on to other community projects.

“We have completed building proper toilets for two zones in our ward, and only one last zone is yet to have their toilets worked on,” he said.

The sanitation project was made possible by the work plan of their Ward Development Committee and Member of Assembly, David Solo Baerara.

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North Malaita rural communities walk 8km to reach health services 

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

People in the rural community of Lau Baelelea constituency, Malaita Province, are facing a tough life in terms of accessing health care after a registered nurse left the Afenakwai clinic in 2023.

This has left sick patients, especially elderly, mothers and children to walk for nearly eight kilometres to get medical treatment at nearby clinics. 

A resident near Afenakwai clinic, Wilson Sifoinao said the clinic is now served by a medical professional on a voluntary basis.

He said that although the medical professional is there, the people really need a registered nurse to serve them and for medical treatments to be available at the clinic. 

“The Afenakwai clinic was closed in 2023. When we have an urgent sick patient, a medical professional living here can come and serve at the clinic.

“He just works on a volunteer basis. So sometimes he can work, and sometimes he cannot. Therefore, we need a registered nurse to come and serve us,” he said.

He said accessing medical treatment from nearby clinics is very expensive, and they have to walk seven or eight kilometres to reach the clinic. 

“So, if we want to access good medical treatments, we have to walk for seven to eight kilometres or hire a truck, which is very costly,” he added. 

He calls on responsible authorities to urgently address this issue. 

“I call on the responsible authority to urgently address our issues. Also, we have faced a shortage of medicine at the clinic, so now we are suffering. 

“I urge the Ministry of Health to improve the supply and distribution of medicine to clinics and take immediate action to ensure that our people receive the right treatments,” he said.

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East Honiara hosts workshop for zone committee chairpersons

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The East Honiara Constituency (EHC), under the leadership of Member of Parliament Morris To’iraena, held a one-day workshop for zone committee chairpersons at Maranatha Hall, Burns Creek, in East Honiara yesterday.

The workshop was held under the theme: “Working in Partnership – Together We Can Achieve Development Aspirations for East Honiara Constituency.”

To’iraena was the Guest of Honour during yesterday’s event.

The event was attended by representatives from several Solomon Islands Government line ministries, including the Ministry of Rural Development, the Department of Statistics, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS), along with community supporters.

The workshop aims to strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and foster stronger partnerships between zone committee chairpersons and government ministries to effectively address community needs and implement development initiatives within the constituency.

It also provided a platform for participants to share information and experiences, while enabling chairpersons to relay updates and feedback to their respective communities regarding ongoing projects, development plans, and future directions.

According to East Honiara Constituency Development Officer, Stanley Araha, the workshop marks an important step towards formulating the East Honiara Constituency development roadmap.

During the workshop, zone committee chairpersons were equipped with skills and knowledge to improve governance and community engagement, as well as to identify and prioritise development projects that address the most pressing needs of communities in East Honiara.

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