HOU LAUNCHES PORT ADAM SEAWEED FARMERS ASSOCIATION

Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Constituency (SMC), Honourable Rick Hou on 12^th of February 2025 launched the Port Adam Seaweed Farmers Association (PASFA), marking the biggest milestone in the project’s growth since its inauguration in 2023.

Held at Fouele community under the theme, “Strive for Success”, the launch paves the way for farmers to venture into large-scale farming and production in the future.

The successful cultivation of the Port Adam Seaweed Project was initiated by the SMC in 2023 through the active involvement of MP Hou, an initiative supported by the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) programme of the national government.

Delivering his remarks, Hon. Hou congratulated PASFA for the milestone achievement, shimmering farmer’s perseverance and hard work to success.

Reflecting on the theme, he said success does not come easy but we must work for it. It requires determination and the resolute collaboration of everyone.

He encourages PASFA members to work together and support each other as they continue to strive to improve their socio-economic livelihoods.

“For us to be successful in our endeavors, we must cooperate together. Every one of us need each other’s support. We must work in partnership.

“The constituency office will continue to support you but we need your support too. So, teamwork is important for us to prosper together,” Hon. Hou emphasized.

Hon. Hou delivers his remarks at the launching event.

Hon. Hou also uses the opportunity and convey best wishes to PASFA members all success as they continue to embark on their farming initiatives.

Meanwhile, PASFA farmers representative, Luanne Tosoa thanked Hon. Hou and the SMC office for choosing Port Adam as a suitable site for the seaweed farming project.

She said one of the project’s many positive aspects was that it brought community togetherness and friendship among coastal and inland people.

“The launching we witness today is the culmination of our community’s togetherness over the past year, resulting in the establishment of our association.

“The project has improved our standard of living through seaweed sales, marking a significant change to our livelihoods,” Ms Tosoa attested.

She also acknowledged the constituency office for its great support of the project, especially through the funding of seaweed farming materials for farmers.

The launching also coincided with an awareness workshop on Seaweed farming facilitated by Wesley Garofe, Deputy Director from the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources (MFMR).

Wesley Garofe, Deputy Director from the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources (MFMR) facilitates an awareness workshop for PASFA members after the launching event.

The workshop focused on seaweed farming management and procedures to boost productivity.

Ms Tosoa also extends appreciation to MFMR for support through practical training.

Honourable Hou and his visiting team which includes MRD, MFMR, and constituency officers also took the opportunity and visited seaweed farms at Port Adam after the launching program.

More than 150 seaweed farmers from Port Adam to Walande attended the launch and the awareness workshop.

The Port Adam Seaweed Project generated over $150,000 in their latest two sales in Honiara last year.

PASFA is registered under the Solomon Islands Charitable Trust Act.

Refer below for more photo highlights of the event.

Hon. Rick Hou together with officers from the Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Rural Development, Small Malaita Constituency office and PASFA reps during the official launching program.

Hon. Hou had a conversation with seaweed farmers while visiting the seaweed display during the launching program.

Seaweed harvesting at Port Adam in Small Malaita Constituency.

Seaweed drying at Ro’one. From the background, you can see seaweed farms all over Port Adam Bay.

Hon. Hou and CDO Terry Honimae during the launching program.

A seaweed farmer displays dried seaweed produces.

Constituency officers and a farmer inspecting dried seaweed produces at Ro’one.

PASFA members having a photo opportunity with Honourable Rick Hou and officers from Fisheries, MRD, and the constituency office.

Seaweed farming at Port Adam, an initiative introduced by Small Malaita Constituency office under the leadership of Hon. Hou and supported by the CDF programme of the National Government.

PASFA farmers representative, Luanne Tosoa thanked Hon. Hou and the SMC office for choosing Part Adam as a suitable site for the seaweed farming project.

Seaweed farming at Port Adam, an initiative introduced by Small Malaita Constituency office under the leadership of Hon. Hou and supported by the CDF programme.

Seaweed harvesting at Port Adam.

Hon. Rick Hou with officers from the Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) and the Constituency office visits a local buyer who use to buy seaweed produces from farmers. Displayed are dried seaweed produces.

Dried seaweeds are now packed and ready for shipment to Honiara for sale.

Hon. Rick Hou visits a local buyer of Seaweed at Ro’one, Small Malaita as he inspects apparatus (scale) used to weigh seaweed products and packing. From the background are sacks of seaweed ready for shipment to Honiara for sale.

– MRD Press