The Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), Franklyn Derek Wasi highlighted his continued support for rural cocoa farmers on Makira’s weathercoast area through the purchase of wet cocoa beans.
In a social media post, Minister Wasi said it was a rewarding experience to see farmers receive payments for their produce, describing it as “a feeling to put smiles on their faces”.
He said the wet bean purchasing initiative aims to provide cocoa farmers with a reliable market while ensuring they receive prompt payment for their harvest.
According to Mr Wasi, cocoa remains one of the main cash crops for many families with income from sales helping to meet household expenses, school fees and other essential needs.
He adds that by buying wet cocoa beans directly from farmers, it reduces the challenges growers often face in transporting their produce to distant processing centres or markets.
He said that it also encourages increased cocoa production by giving farmers confidence that there is a ready buyer for their crop.
Minister Wasi said supporting rural farmers is an important part of strengthening the country’s agricultural sector and improving livelihoods in remote communities.
He said the initiative has been welcomed by local cocoa farmers, who expressed appreciation for receiving immediate payment for their hard work.
The Minister’s support reflects ongoing efforts to boost cocoa production and create more economic opportunities for rural communities, particularly in Makira-Ulawa Province, where cocoa remains a major source of income for many households.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale will depart Honiara this Sunday for official visits to Washington D.C. and Tokyo, upon invitations from the Governments of the United States and Japan.
The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) confirmed that the trip will be Mr Wale’s first official visit to the two capitals since he was elected Prime Minister in May.
According to a statement from OPMC, while in Washington, the Prime Minister is expected to hold a series of bilateral engagements with the US State Department, Development Finance Corporation, Millennium Challenge Corporation and Peace Corps with focus on strengthening cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Mr Wale will then travel to Tokyo, where he is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for high-level discussions with the aim to deepen ties between Solomon Islands and Japan.
Also mentioned is that Prime Minister Takaichi considers Prime Minister Wale’s visit to be of great significance, hence, Prime Minister Wale will be accorded a guard of honour by the Government of Japan.
The statement said the visits to Washington and Tokyo underscore the administration’s commitment to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance partnerships with key international partners.
Prime Minister Wale as noted, is expected to return to Solomon Islands on 26 July.
The Commodities Export Marketing Authority’s (CEMA) Farmer First campaign is delivering tangible benefits to rural communities, with farmers and local agents reporting faster payments, improved market access and stronger support for cocoa and copra producers.
Simbo farmers are attesting to this huge improvement in their copra businesses and livelihoods. This attestation by farmers to CEMA’s Farmers First initiative is growing in numbers.
CEMA initiative aims to bridge the gap between farmers and buyers by appointing CEMA agents across the country to purchase cocoa and copra directly from producers before selling the commodities to CEMA. Agents are provided with start-up capital to help establish buying operations in their communities.
One of those agents is Martin Qae, 50, of Lengana Village on Simbo Island. Originally from Choiseul Province, Qae has lived on Simbo since marrying into the community and says the role allows him to serve local farmers while supporting rural development.
Growing up in a family with strong business ties, Qae said becoming a CEMA agent was a natural step. His father operated a butcher shop and trade store and also served as a member of the CEMA Board of Directors.
Rather than focusing on profits, he says his priority is to help farmers access reliable markets and timely payments.
“I enjoy seeing women farmers coming to me to sell their cocoa and copra. When I pay them in cash, I know that money will be used to support their families,” he said.
He said the Farmer First campaign has transformed the way farmers receive payments.
“Unlike in the past, CEMA has now reduced or eliminated the long wait for payments. Now we sell our produce and within a few hours we get paid,” he said.
He also praised CEMA’s pricing policy, saying it has created benefits for both agents and farmers.
“CEMA understands our situation and often offers good buying prices. That is an added bonus for both agents and farmers alike,” he said.
According to Qae, the Farmer First approach has given rural farmers a greater sense of belonging within the industry.
“For the first time, farmers feel they are truly part of the industry. The Farmer First vision is making a real difference in people’s lives,” he said.
He said his work as a CEMA agent has also enabled him to contribute more to his community.
“I always assist my community with what little I have, especially during times of bereavement and church fundraising activities,” he said.
He also acknowledged the National Government led by Prime Minister Matthew Wale for efforts to strengthen the country’s economic policies but said more support is needed for the cocoa and copra sector.
He calls on the government to improve transport services to reduce delays in shipping produce from rural areas to Honiara.
“For places like Simbo Island, where the roads are in good condition, providing a vehicle to transport farmers’ produce would greatly improve the industry,” he said.
Following the recent devastation caused by Cyclone Maila, he urges the government to introduce a special recovery package for affected farmers.
“My storage shed was partly destroyed by the cyclone, and I have not yet been able to rebuild it,” he said.
He said supporting farmers after natural disasters is critical because they remain the backbone of the rural economy.
The Farmer First campaign continues to expand across Solomon Islands as CEMA activates more agents to improve market access and ensure farmers receive fair returns for their cocoa and copra production.
-Second twin otter rejoins domestic service, set to improve Solomon Airlines’ flight schedules
BY JOSES SAREN
Solomon Airlines’ domestic service is set to improve with the return of the second twin otter plane from maintenance and repair.
Around three weeks the domestic service had operated with only one twin otter, leading to the airlines having to readjust schedules that affected passengers throughout the country.
Solomon Airlines CEO Matthew Findlay told Island Sun yesterday that the return of the second twin otter should restore some normalcy to the domestic service.
However, the absence of the Dash-8 remains a huge gap in the local service especially for the larger airports with more passengers.
Mr Findlay said they are working hard to hopefully have the Dash-8 return by late August, which also depends on how fast repair works will go.
With the return of the second twin otter, the backlog of waiting lists is expected to be cleared this coming week including a government delegation reportedly stranded in Temotu province and government delegations waiting to be deployed to the provinces.
Findlay said the second twin otter is set to resume service after a much-awaited new engine that arrived Thursday this week was installed in the plane followed by test runs.
Island Sun reported on July 15 the operation of the domestic service with only one twin otter following a growing number of complaints over cancelled flights and unannounced changes in time to schedules.
The woes of the domestic service began in April this year when the third twin otter had to be returned to its owner following the expiration of its lease.
A routine C-Check of the Dash-8 in April also uncovered many problems with the aircraft which offered unforeseen additional costs for repairs worth millions. Sources told Island Sun the SolAir was told to pay first before repair works begin. The Dash-8 today remains in Cairns, Australia awaiting repairs.
This left the domestic service with only two twin otters. Due to maintenance and repairs the local service was forced to run on only one twin otter aircraft reportedly three times, the last of which should end tomorrow with the return of the second twin otter.
In a statement to the paper on Monday this week, Solomon Airlines said it had to ‘dynamically’ manage its domestic schedule to accommodate maintenance needs.
“Safety is of paramount importance and our domestic flight operations are an extremely high priority, to support the movement of people and cargo throughout the Solomon Islands. We take our responsibility very seriously to address any maintenance issue that requires attention as swiftly as can be managed.”
Lea’i and Gau inspire Solomon Islands to first victory at OFC U-16 Men’s Championship after recovering from an early setback
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Solomon Islands kept their hopes alive at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over fellow Melanesian rival Vanuatu in Port Moresby yesterday.
According to the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), the win handed the Solomon Islands their first three points in Group A after bouncing back from a heavy opening-round defeat to New Zealand, while Vanuatu remained without a win after suffering their second straight loss.
Needing a positive response after a 5-1 defeat to New Zealand, the young Solomon Islands side showed resilience to overturn a one-goal deficit and finish the first half in front.
The Solomon Islands had an early opportunity to seize control when striker George Lea’i earned a penalty in the 13th minute after being brought down inside the box following a well-timed through pass from Walcott Kona. However, Lea’i’s spot kick sailed over the crossbar, allowing Vanuatu to escape.
Vanuatu capitalised on that missed chance in the 30th minute when captain Russle Allaleo took advantage of a defensive lapse to calmly slot home the opening goal.
The lead proved short-lived as Solomon Islands responded just five minutes later through Greggy Gau, whose powerful long-range strike flew beyond the Vanuatu goalkeeper to restore parity.
The momentum quickly shifted in Solomon Islands’ favour, and Lea’i redeemed himself before halftime. Winning possession high up the field, the forward unleashed a speculative shot from distance that caught goalkeeper Ezekiel Tasso off guard and nestled into the back of the net to complete the comeback.
The 2-1 advantage remained intact for the remainder of the match as Solomon Islands secured a valuable victory in the tightly contested Melanesian encounter.
OFC noted that the determined fightback highlighted the character of the Solomon Islands side after their disappointing opening result.
The post-match report stated, “The win hands Solomon Islands their first three points of the tournament, while Vanuatu remain in search of their first victory”.
The result lifts Solomon Islands back into contention in Group A as the race for the knockout stages continues.
The OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 is being hosted in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, featuring eight Oceania nations.
The tournament also serves as the region’s qualification event for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2027, with three qualification spots on offer. Solomon Islands entered this year’s championship seeking a first regional title, having previously finished runners-up twice and qualified once for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Team Solomon athlete Stephen Rahuasi has arrived in Brisbane, Australia, to begin a one-week pre-departure training camp as part of his final preparations for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Rahuasi will use the camp to fine-tune his preparation ahead of the Games and will compete in the 800m event at the University of Queensland Winter Series Meet this Saturday, 18 July.
Following the competition, Rahuasi will join the rest of Team Solomon as they depart for Scotland on Thursday, 23 July, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Solomon Islands athlete will represent the country in athletics as part of the 13-member Team Solomon squad heading to Glasgow.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from 23 July to 2 August, with Team Solomon sending a 13-member contingent to compete across several sporting codes.
Phoenix 1 continued to stamp their authority in the Honiara Netball Association (HNA) Super Division after recording a convincing 81-17 victory over Owaraha 1 in the Round Five competition.
According to results released by the Honiara Netball Association, Phoenix 1 produced the biggest winning margin of the round, while Sunrise 1 also impressed with a comfortable 65-39 win over Sosa.
SISCC 1 maintained their winning form after defeating Police 1 by 49-29, while Southerns 1 overcame Isa Purple 41-31. Suvania 1 rounded off the Super Division results with a 52-31 victory against G/Berets 2.
In the A Division, Hale 1 edged Western Magic 31-24, SISCC 2 defeated SEWA 1 by 25-15, and West Rennell claimed a 32-17 win over Lauru 1.
Suvania 2 also recorded a 30-15 victory over Green Berets 1, while Manuiki defeated Lakers 28-23. The only drawn match came between Marist TESA 1 and Phoenix 2, with both sides finishing level at 26-26.
The B and C Divisions also produced several tightly contested matches, including a 16-16 draw between Manawai and SEWA 2, while Southerns 2 edged Doves 14-13 in one of the closest fixtures of the round.
Round Five again showcased the competitiveness of the HNA competition, with teams across all four divisions continuing their push for valuable points as the season gathers momentum.
The Member of Parliament for Hograno-Kia-Havulei Constituency (HKHC), Isabel province, Jeremiah Manele handed over two brand-new three-tonne trucks to the inland communities of Johitori and Alualu on Thursday, July 9.
According to a statement from MRD, the trucks were funded under the National Transport Fund (NTF) through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), and was endorsed by the HKHC Office and its MP.
The handover ceremonies were held at Johitori in Susubona and Alualu in Kaevanga, both farming areas within the Hograno ward, the statement said.
Manele said the vehicles are more than just transport.
“These new vehicles are tools to improve livelihoods, ensuring that agricultural produce reaches the market reliably to boost local economic growth and food security,” he said.
He said the trucks will help remote communities reach essential services, medical care and economic opportunities more easily, calling it part of the constituency’s commitment to inclusive development.
Manele said transport projects remain a priority under the HKH Constituency Development Plan for 2025–2026, approved by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).
He urges the two communities to look after the vehicles and find ways to earn income to keep them running long-term, and reminded recipients that CDF funds are now managed under the CDF Act 2023.
“Things are no longer as they were in the past, when funds were not properly managed and accounted for. The new law governs the use of CDF, and I call on all recipients to take care of projects funded under CDF or any other government agency,” he said.
Speaking for Johitori community, Letiara Aron thanked Manele for his leadership.
“This truck is more than a vehicle. It is a tool for development, a symbol of progress, and an investment in our future,” Aron said, adding that it will help move farm produce and building materials, and support church and school activities.
MP for HKHC, Jeremiah Manele officially hands over the vehicle key to Johitori community representative at Johitori village in Isabel, Photo by MRD.
At Alualu, teacher Maja Gnokro spoke for the women and children, describing years of struggling to move church members, sick patients and schoolchildren without reliable transport.
“Today, history has been made. This is the first time our community has ever received such a vehicle,” Gnokro said.
Alualu community representatives and their MP, Jeremiah Manele pose for a group photo, Photo by MRD.
HKHC Constituency Development Officer Apollos Manegere acknowledged the Ministry of Infrastructure Development for funding the trucks and MRD for approving the 2025–2026 development plans.
He said the constituency has also supported Havulei with one boat, and Kia and Katova wards with two boats each, for transport and seaweed projects under the NTF.
“As a community, we recognise that development comes with responsibility. We commit to working together to ensure this vehicle is properly managed, maintained, and used for the benefit of all our people,” Manegere said.
Johitori community members happily pose for a photo with their MP, Jeremiah Manele, Photo by MRD.
MRD congratulated the communities and urged them to look after their new assets for long-term benefit.
The ceremonies were attended by chiefs, Constituency Development Committee members, church leaders, elders, women, youth and children.
The East Choiseul Constituency (ECC), under the leadership of its MP, Manasseh Sogavare, has finished delivering its 2025 Constituency Development Programme (CDP) projects, with the final batch of goods reaching communities in June this year.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) this week, this marks the second and final phase of the constituency’s $5 million CDF allocation.
The funding is made up of $3.2 million under the CDF Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA) and $1.8 million as a direct grant to East Choiseul, in line with the CDF Act 2023.
Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Collin Bemama Qalokisa said the projects were delivered under four categories required by the CDF Act 2023: Productive and Resource Sector, Essential Services, Cross-Sectoral, and Social and Cultural.
The goods delivered include hardware and building materials for households, 184 petrol drums for income-generating activities, water tanks, and solar sets.
Ice-making machine offloaded at the Kosara Fisheries Centre, Photo by MRD
For the Kosara fisheries project, communities received 15 outboard motor (OBM) engines — two 60hp, six 40hp, and seven 15hp — along with an ice-making machine, 48 batteries, and 24 solar panels.
Unloading of fisheries materials at Kosara Fisheries Centre in East Choiseul, Photo by MRD
Qalokisa said part of the 2025 project support had already been delivered at the end of last year, with this final batch completing the rollout.
He said the distribution reached all main ports along the East Choiseul coast, from Ghoghobe to Susuka, and that communities were overjoyed to finally receive projects they had been waiting for.
“This achievement underscores the constituency office’s commitment under Honourable Sogavare’s leadership to community development,” Qalokisa said.
He thanked the national government and MRD for their continued support in funding and implementing the 2025 CDF projects, and acknowledged the patience of ECC residents despite delays in delivery.
The statement said the government remains committed to helping constituency offices carry out development work despite limited resources, with the aim to improve the lives of people in remote communities.
Qalokisa also thanked Sogavare and the people of East Choiseul for their continued support, and said 2026 projects will be delivered once the national government releases new funding.
CDF is the financing arm of the Solomon Islands Government’s Constituency Development Programme, run by MRD across all 50 constituencies. Members of the Constituency Development Committee (CDC) coordinated the project delivery in East Choiseul.
The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) issued strong wind warning 83, cautioning mariners and coastal residents across the country to prepare for hazardous conditions at sea.
The warning, issued at 4pm yesterday remains in effect for all waters of Solomon Islands.
Meteorologists say a trough lying north of the country, combined with a persistent southeasterly wind flow, is driving the rough conditions.
Southeasterly winds are expected to reach 15 to 25 knots across all waters, while seas will range from moderate to rough, with southeasterly swells of 2.3 to 3.5 metres. Showers and thunderstorms in some areas are likely to bring poor visibility.
Authorities urge people in affected areas to take precautionary measures, warning that the strong winds have the potential to endanger lives and damage property.
Sea travellers, in particular, have been advised to take safety precautions, as the conditions can generate dangerous waves hazardous to small boats.
The Meteorological Service also calls on the public to share the warning with people with disabilities, to ensure the information reaches all members of the community.
According to the bureau, a strong wind warning applies when winds of 20 to 25 knots — with gusts of up to 30 knots — are expected to create hazardous wave conditions for small crafts.
Officials note that the final decision on how dangerous conditions are for a particular vessel rest with the boat operator, based on their experience and the size and type of their boat.
The Meteorological Service also cautions that its wave forecasts represent an average, and that individual waves could reach heights up to twice the forecast figure.
