SIART ABPO Market Linkage Workshop Empowers Malaita – Northern Region Farmers

The Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) Project Agribusiness Producer Organisation (ABPO) Market Linkage Workshop for farmers in North Malaita was successfully held yesterday.

The workshop brought together ABPOs involved in piggery, poultry, coconut, cocoa, and vegetable farming from across the region participating in the SIART Project.

In his keynote address, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary Dr. Samson Viulu encouraged farmers to make full use of the workshop and explore ways to ensure their businesses remain resilient and sustainable beyond the conclusion of the SIART Project later this year.

SIART Project Manager William Okekini said strengthening market linkages is not only about business growth, but also about improving livelihoods, creating opportunities for farmers, and contributing to the broader development of rural communities.

The workshop was also attended by officers from Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA), the Ministry of Commerce, Labour and Immigration, and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Presentations from the participating stakeholders provided farmers with insights into government operations and how their work impacts rural farming communities. The workshop also enabled farmers to directly raise questions and concerns with representatives from the relevant ministries.

During the workshop, ABPO representatives highlighted challenges faced by their businesses, discussed possible mitigation measures, and explored how their operations connect to wider domestic and international markets.

Workshop participant Nelly Leafasia from the Afenakwai Women’s Cocoa Association said the workshop was very helpful for both her and her association in understanding the market and identifying possible avenues to market their cocoa products.

“Understanding the market and engaging with authorities through this workshop has helped us better understand some of the challenges we face and the way forward in connecting our women farmers to buyers. The workshop has also broadened our understanding of the important role we play as rural farmers and as the backbone of the country’s economy. Having the ministry’s delegation here gives us assurance that our concerns are being heard,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jason Au from the Home Pod Farmers Association said the workshop was an eye-opener and much needed in supporting their association’s future plans.

“We have always had the mindset that we are isolated, and somehow this has influenced our market strategies. The presentations from the key line ministries have also helped clear some of our confusion and frustrations regarding issues affecting us rural farmers,” he said.

SIART has signed a total of 45 ABPOs in Malaita Province, making it the province with the highest number of ABPOs among the three provinces where the SIART Project is being implemented, including Guadalcanal and Makira-Ulawa Province.

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