China & SI sign $800k to boost cassava production

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) with the Solomon Islands Government this afternoon signed a $800,000 financial support towards the agricultural sector, which will enable the delivery of machineries to selected schools around Honiara to help with cassava production.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeremiah Manele signed on behalf of the government with Chinese Ambassador in Honiara, Li Ming, representing his government.

The Minister said that the support by China would be used to procure five wheeled tractors, two farm tipper trailers and two disc ploughs from an agriculture machinery manufacturer in China, the YTO International Ltd.

Manele added that these tractors will be donated to selected boarding schools to assist with cassava production and supply Varivao Holdings Ltd also to promote self reliance within the schools.

 “This will not only promote self reliance within the schools but also enhances the consistency of exports from Varivao Holdings,” the minister, said.

Ambassador Ming said the support shows Chinese support to the people in the rural area of Solomon Islands.

He said they had selected the tractors and plows that suite climate, soil conditions and planting environment of Solomon Islands.

Manele on behalf of SIG thanked the Chinese Government for their support.

He explained that the support would go towards the Enhanced Integrated Frame (EIF) Work Programme which is an aid for trade programme for LDCs. EIF work towards achieving and promoting wider economic growth, sustainable development and more so alleviate poverty.

With EIF’s affirmative outputs towards the economic and social developments of Solomon Islands, ECAT, a project targeting the agricultural sector is now being implemented.

The key objectives of the Enhancing Capacity on Agricultural Trade Project are: to increase investments in the cassava and taro sectors, to add market values to cassava and taro products for expect, and to improve the capacity of line ministries and relevant authorities in food safety and quality.

News@SBMOnline2021