Imported semen arrives, artificial insemination commences to improve pig breed in Solomon Islands

Sunday 20 September, Honiara – Imported pig semen from Australia has arrived in the country on Wednesday 16 September 2026 through the Solomon Islands Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) Project to be used to upgrade local genetics and overcome widespread inbreeding affecting pig production in Solomon Islands.

This is part of the Pig Breed Improvement Program with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) aimed at improving the reproductive performance, productivity and genetic quality of pigs in Solomon Islands.

Following the arrival of the imported semen, gilts were inseminated from Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September 2026, with the first piglets from the artificial insemination (AI) program expected to be born in January 2027.

The imported semen includes ninety-six tubes for forty-right gilts (young female pigs) supplied by the Premier Pig Genetics in Queensland, Australia.

Selected breeding animals successfully completed a the 15-day hormonal feeding program followed by a hormonal feeding program, and subcutaneous oestrus booster injections on 12 to support and synchronize oestrus in selected breeding animals.

Animal identification and numbering, together with reproductive record-keeping was also conducted to ensure correct monitoring of breeding activities and reproductive performance.

SIART Project Manager William Okekini said the program is designed to gradually introduce new genetics into the local pig population while working closely with existing pig breeders.

“This program is about bringing new genetics into Solomon Islands and making sure the benefits reach local farmers. The farmers are an important part of the program because they are providing the gilts that will become the foundation for producing improved offspring,” he said.

Meanwhile, SIART Project Adviser, Mr. Mark Johnston highlighted that SIART is assisting MAL develop the Pig Breed Improvement Program by providing financial and relevant technical support to imitate the artificial insemination program where gilts will be impregnated with semen of improved breeds imported from Australia.

“The resulting offspring will have different genetics from their mothers due to genetics of the imported semen giving them hybrid vigour from genetically distinct parents.

“It is envisaged that once the processes and procedures have been done, once that the importation of new pig genetics via semen will be a regular activity for the MAL pig breed improvement program,” Mr. Johnston said.

SIART is providing training and relevant equipment intended to enhance the operation of selected pig farms and pig multiplier farms. Offspring from these sows will be sold as replacement or expansion stock to existing multiplier farmers, who are willing to sell stock to commercial pig farmers.

With the lack of enough good breeding stock and to ensure the new genetics get out quickly to the pig breeding farms, the Ministry of Agriculture has selected good quality gilts from pig breeding farmers in relatively close proximity to Honiara to be used for the initial round of AI.

This is being done under a benefit sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the farmers where the piglets bone from the AI program will be shared equally by the Ministry and the participating farmers.

The farmers supply the gilts for the AI program. MALD feeds, vaccinates and looks after the animal health of the pigs in the program and conditions them for breeding. After the piglets from the AI are weaned, the sow and half of the resulting piglets are returned to the farmers.

The pig breeder farmers will be able to incorporate the new improved genetics into their breeding programs as soon as the AI offspring are mature.

Selected piglets resulting from the AI program retained by MALD will be the nucleus for the ongoing breeding program for the Ministry to supply improved pig breeds for pig breeders in all provinces in Solomon Islands.

SIART is also establishing a feed mill at the KG VI farm to feed the pigs. Initially the feedstock is imported but overtime the imported feed will be substituted with locally grown and available feed stocks.

The Pig Breed Improvement Program has 61 pigs from seven private pig breeders which is based at KG VI farm for the AI program. The imported semen will impregnate 48 gilts.

The program will develop gradually, starting with 30 sows transferred from the existing pig breeding farm near Honiara and eventually reaching 80 sows.

• SIART Media Release

ENDS///…with photos

Captions:

Team at the Livestock Department of the Ministry of Agriculture getting the pigs ready for the artificial insemination program to commence.

James Poghula (left), Principal Livestock Officer is taking the lead with the artificial insemination program.

The Pig Breed Improvement Program has 61 pigs from seven private pig breeders which is based at KG VI farm for the AI program.