South Malaita’s Liwe Fisheries & Agro-Industrial Park: A Gateway to Malaita’s Blue & Green Economy

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By: Martin Baddeley Housanau (An Economist & Accountant by Profession)

Introduction – “Blue and Green Economy”

The “Gateway to Blue and Green Economy” is a strategic pathway for Malaita Province and Solomon Islands to sustainably nurture and harvest its natural resources, create industries to provide jobs for its young population, increase exports of value added goods to grow the domestic/local economy and improving living standards in the rural communities. This is an initiative that will support Malaita’s and Solomon Islands economic transition to sustainable development models integrating environmental stewardship and ocean resource resilience in the short, medium to long-term.

Vision & Aim – Community Based Initiative

The Liwe industrial park is community based initiative, envisioned to become a transformative socio-economic hub for Malaita Province and Solomon Islands by integrating sustainable fisheries, agro-processing and eco-tourism – key pillars of the blue (ocean-based) and green (low-carbon) economies. By anchoring the Liwe Park in the community-led sustainability and cross-sectoral innovation, it can truly serve a Malaita’s and Solomon Islands gateway to a resilient blue-green future.

The aim of the Liwe Park is in three fold;

• Diversify livelihoods by integrating fisheries (seaweed, mud crabs, milk and reef fish) and agro-processing (livestock – beef and milk, piggery, chicken and animal feed) targeting niche markets;

• Formalise the informal sector through Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), supported by the proposed Malaita Provincial MSME Bank; and

• Enhance infrastructure development, including training facilities and market access, to boost productivity and incomes.

Liwe Community’s Partnership with the Government 

The Industrial Park with 75-hectares of registered land in 2016, is located in the Southern Region of Malaita Province. The Park has been in the successive and present Solomon Islands Governments National Development Plans and Strategies since 2016, under the Ministry of Commerce until now, with no land disputes, but desolately remains undeveloped.

Nevertheless, the Park is now a cornerstone of Malaita Provinces economic growth strategy 2024 – 2028, identified by the current Premier Elijah Asilaua as one of the five key economic hubs (alongside Bina Harbour, Suava Bay, Honoa and the Malaita Outer Islands Fisheries Centre) for the Province. The Park embodies Malaita’s transition from subsistence to sustainable commercialisation, blending traditional knowledge (e.g. Maramasike passage fishing) with modern agro-industrial and fisheries management.

Blue Economy Potential:

Seaweed Farming – the increasing surge in the Lau Lagoons seaweed farming production demonstrates local capacity for low-impact, high value marine industries. The Liwe Fisheries Park could scale this by adopting community based resource management (CBRM), a model successfully implemented in one-third of villages throughout Solomon Islands to sustain fish stocks. Furthermore, adding value through processing (e.g. dried seaweed for exports).

Sustainable Fisheries – the Malaita’s multi-species (e.g. reef fish, milk fish, beche-de-mer) could benefit from trophic-level management (tailored rules per species) and could chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses. The Fisheries Park could significantly boost production in the multi-species aqua-culture production and adding value through processing (e.g. fish filleting) for domestic and export markets.

Green Economy Potential:

Climate-Smart Agriculture – the Park could link fisheries with land-based farming (e.g. fish mill for livestock production, and taro and pineapples – Malaita’s renowned crops) using circular economy models such as converting fish waste into organic fertilizers.

Renewal Energy – solar powered processing to reduce carbon footprints. This is critical for industries low cost of production, and competitive advantage in the domestic and export markets. Thus, attracting foreign direct investment into the rural economy to boost production and quality for export market.

Tourism Integration – the Park could also link fisheries and agro-industries through tours in mangrove forests, educate visitors on carbon sequestration and coastal protection while supporting local guides. Healthy sea fronts and water ways attract tourists for diving. Organic farms offering hands-on-experience like livestock farming attract tourists to learn about this method.

Challenges and Solutions

Infrastructure Gaps – rural Malaita including Small Malaita lacks reliable shipping, deteriorating roads infrastructure (Afio-Olusu’u road and bridges non-existent now since 2006), deteriorating wharf (Afio wharf in dire need of repairs) and lack of wharves at Liwe and Paeni. Lack of energy and water supplies suggest prioritising phased infrastructure development despite slow returns.

Governance – strengthening partnerships with the Government both at the National and Provincial levels, and other stakeholders critical to boost preparatory work to establish this important undertaking.

Funding – leveraging international programs (e.g. Green Climate & Green Energy Funds) could finance climate-resilient infrastructure.

Projected Outcomes

Sources: CBSI 2023 & 2024, Ministry of National Development Planning & Ministry of Finance Technical Feasibility Study 2016.

Next Steps for Impact

• Re-engage with Community – The SIG-MCILI and Malaita Provincial Government’s (MPG) to re-engage with Liwe Community and Land Trustees to progress with preparatory work to establish the Industrial Park.

• Pilot Value Chain – Malaita Provincial Government (MPG) to partner with the Ministries of Fisheries and Environment to collaborate and launch seaweed cooperatives or milk fish, mud crab and beche-de-mer hatcheries, backed by Green Climate Fund under climate infrastructure resilience and poverty alleviation support.

• Skills Training – MPG to partner with World Fish’s Nusatupe innovation hub to teach sustainable practices (e.g. fish handling and mangrove restoration)

• Policy Alignment – MPG to liaise with the Ministry of Commerce, Fisheries and Agriculture to re-integrate the Liwe Park into these Ministries strategies and action plans, emphasising CBRM and blue-green economy.

Conclusion

The success of the Liwe Industrial Park depends entirely on the Government’s present transformative agenda, and its will to stimulate rural economic growth. It hinges on balancing industrial growth with community ownership and sustainability, drawing from global best practices whilst adopting to Small Malaita’s unique context. The benefits of this development to our beloved nation cannot be underestimated. However, it is time for the Government to take pro-active strategy in developing the Park as it now ready since 2016 (over the past 9-years) to be developed.