MAL & JAAS sign Landmark MOU

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS).

The signing ceremony took place at the Chinese embassy office here in Honiara on Monday 22 July.

Deputy Secretary Technical, Mr. Michael Hoóta, signed on behalf of MAL while the Vice President for JAAS signed on their behalf.

The signing was witnessed by the Minister for MAL, Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi and the Vice Governor for Jiangsu province.

It is a history for the ministry as the MOU will foster close collaboration between MAL and one of Chinese longest serving research institute in the field of agriculture research.

JAAS is the first agriculture research institute established by the Chinese government and is based in Jiangsu province with many research extensions centers that MAL will technically benefit from.

JAAS is also the host of the China – Pacific Island Countries Agriculture Cooperation and Demonstration Centre, an initiative set up by the national government of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to assist island countries in the region to develop their agriculture aspirations.

Areas of collaboration contained in the MOU include the development of fully fledged farm mechanized commercial rice farming in Solomon Islands and the co-hosting of a reginal agriculture workshop at the China-Pacific Island Agriculture Cooperation and Demonstration Center in Jiangsu.

MAL is currently liaising with potential partners to establish demonstration plots for commercial rice farming and other areas of research in agriculture.

The MOU is not restricted to rice farming alone but also other important crops and vegetables of significance to Solomon Islands. These include maize farming for livestock feed, fruit trees for export to China and nut trees.

Under the MOU a consignment of tools and machineries donated by the Jiangsu province of China has already arrived in the country.

The donated items include greenhouse construction materials, monitoring equipment, irrigation pumps, tractor, rice transplanter, rice harvester, rice husking machine, sprayer, rotary tillers, mowers, computers and high yielding seeds of rice, sweet melon, sweet potatoes and vegetables.

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Source: MAL Media