Hon Franklyn Derek Wasi Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development (centre front), Lu Kai JAAS rice expert (Front row left), Li Wenqi (Front row right) Dr Samson Viulu MALD PS, Elda Wate MALD DSC, Dr. Fan Fangjun, Associate Professor from the Institute of Food Crops specialising in rice breeding and cultivation, Dr. Liu Fengjun, Associate Professor from the Taihu Lake Institute specialising in agro-technical services, Michael Ho’ota MALD DST, Danny Lehe MALD Planning Director, (Back row Left to Right)
MALD Farewells and Welcomes Rice Experts from JAAS
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD) has bid farewell to two rice specialists from the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS), Mr. Li Wenqi and Mr. Lu Kai, following the successful completion of their two-month technical assignment under the Solomon Islands-China Rice Development Project.
The farewell ceremony also marked the arrival of two new JAAS experts who will continue supporting the project. They are Dr. Fan Fangjun, Associate Professor from the Institute of Food Crops specialising in rice breeding and cultivation, and Dr. Liu Fengjun, Associate Professor from the Taihu Lake Institute specialising in agro-technical services.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi thanked Mr. Li and Mr. Lu for their dedication and valuable contribution to strengthening rice production in Solomon Islands. He acknowledged their technical expertise and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing its partnership with JAAS to improve national food security.
The rice development project, implemented through the cooperation between MALD and JAAS, aims to establish a sustainable rice industry by introducing improved rice varieties, modern cultivation practices and mechanised farming technologies.
The project seeks to reduce Solomon Islands’ reliance on imported rice while building the capacity of local officers and farmers to increase domestic rice production.
Over the past two months, the JAAS specialists worked closely with MALD staff to evaluate the rice varieties, MAL 1 and MAL 2, while demonstrating improved field preparation, nursery management, transplanting techniques, water management, pest and disease control, and soil monitoring. The team also assessed mechanised rice production systems, with nursery and transplanting machines expected to arrive from China later this year to further improve efficiency and productivity.
MALD looks forward to working with Dr. Fan and Dr. Liu as the project enters its next phase, focusing on yield evaluation, mechanisation, improved cultivation technologies and strengthening the country’s long-term rice production capacity.
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Hon Franklyn Derek Wasi Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development (centre) JAAS rice experts Li Wenqi and Lu Kai
JASS Rice expert team presenting their report to MALD Minister and Staff
MALD Press Release