BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
West Kwaio pineapple farmers have appealed for support towards expanding and maintaining existing farms, as this is the only means by which they can generate income to support their families and pay their children’s school fees.
The call was made after many government teams, officers, and businessmen visited their pineapple farms and promised to support them; until now, nothing has happened.
On behalf of the farmers, the Secretary of the Sulatokwai Pineapple Farmers Association, West Kwaio, Agnes Sala, said pineapple is a labor-intensive crop and requires more labor for maintaining the farms.
She said they have farmed pineapples since the 1960s, but until now, their calls and requests for government and donor support have not been heard.
“Like we have already said, this is the one thing that we can farm and earn income from to support our families and afford our children’s school fees.
“We have appealed and sent requests for support many times, as I recall, but until now, there has been no feedback.
“We don’t know whether the government officers and interested businesses who have visited us before have considered our requests and needs or not,” she questioned.
She calls on the government of the day to at least see their needs and support them.
She also extends her call to their provincial member of assembly and member of Parliament to support the existing farmers.
The West Kwaio pineapple has been graded as the sweetest pineapple among others in Malaita Province and in the country.
However, the proposed Bonale Pineapple Factory project in West Kwaio is still facing significant implementation delays.
The national government has completed pre-feasibility studies, land-use models, and 290 hectares of customarily registered land, but farmers are still waiting for construction and milling operations to begin.
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