Rice Trial Enters Final Stage Ahead of Harvest

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has reached an important milestone in its ongoing rice research program, with the trial of two rice varieties, MAL 1 and MAL 2, now in its final field trial stage ahead of harvesting next Monday.

Supported by Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Science (JAAS) rice experts from China, the rice trial is part of MALD’s efforts to identify rice varieties that are suitable for cultivation under Solomon Islands’ local environmental and farming conditions.

MALD technical officers under the guidance and support from JAAS rice experts have carried out a range of field activities, including weed management and control, pest and disease monitoring, irrigation management and agronomic observations. Regular monitoring of crop growth, development and productivity has also been undertaken throughout the trial period.

MALD Deputy Secretary Technical Michael Ho’ota said the upcoming harvest will provide an important opportunity to determine the production yield per hectare of MAL 1 and MAL 2.

“Following harvesting and threshing, the rice will be dried and milled before undergoing taste-testing and quality assessments. These post-harvest tests will provide further information on the quality, characteristics and suitability of the two varieties for local consumption and potential wider cultivation,” he said.

The trial aligns with the GREAT Coalition Government’s priorities for agriculture, particularly strengthening food security, promoting agricultural research and innovation, increasing domestic food production and supporting opportunities for farmers.

For MALD, the trial is an important step in building a stronger evidence base for the development of rice production in Solomon Islands.

Identifying varieties that can perform well under local conditions could support future efforts to increase domestic rice production and strengthen the country’s food security.

MALD will continue to monitor and document the results through the harvesting, drying, milling and testing stages.

The findings will contribute to future planning and decision-making on rice production and agricultural development in Solomon Islands.

ENDS//
MALD Press Release