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The Solomon Islands Agriculture Policy Bank

In the Solomon Islands the agricultural sector is the most important sector for the economy.

It accounts for approximately 16% of the GDP. Agricultural products are the major source of export earnings - in 2014 agriculture exports accounted for 24% of total exports. Agriculture is the main source of employment and livelihoods in rural areas.

Agriculture consists of three sub-sectors: subsistence smallholder farming, a commercial sub-sector, and large plantations.

Subsistence agriculture is the predominant occupation of the rural population (84% of the total population) and in many cases the sole source of livelihoods for these communities.

Many rural communities also depend on forest products such as leafy vegetables, nuts, honey, and fruits, and coastal communities on fish to supplement their food consumption.

  • KEY POLICIES

    The Solomon Islands Agriculture and Livestock Sector Policy 2015-2019 is accommodative and a roadmap for MAL to execute its sustainable development programs effectively and efficiently for the next 5 years. The SIALSP 2015-2019 is aligned to the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011-2020, the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) policy statement 2014-2020, with reference to the MAL Corporate Plan 2015-2019, and various sub-sector policies in its revision.

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: 2015

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    The Solomon Islands Agriculture and Livestock Sector Policy 2015-2019 has four clear key goals: I. To achieve food sovereignty; II. To improve rural livelihoods; III. To promote agriculture for import substitution; and IV. To increase trade.

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: 2015

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    This Policy document serves as a “road map” and contains the strategic options for Agricultural Development in the Solomon Islands, including the National Development Framework, presenting the Policy Options for MAL’s core activities, cross sectoral services and sub sector specific policies.

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: November 2009

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    This policy focusses on key strategies to enhance productivity, achieve food security and reduce the burden of over- and under-nutrition for all, through long term, sustainable collaboration and engagement by all key stakeholders in Solomon Islands.

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ministry of Health and Medical Services
    Date: February 2010

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    This document contains the key services of MAL for the Economic and Productive sector, strategies used to achieve the expected outcomes and indicators with an aim to promote, improve and lead agriculture development in Solomon Islands.

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: August 2010

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  • SUB SECTOR STRATEGIES

    The overall aim of this policy is to provide safe and nutritious food to the population of the Solomon Islands as well as foreigners visiting the country. In addition, promotion of organic agriculture systems in the Solomon Islands will contribute to improved environmental conditions, and income generating opportunities.

    Prepared by: Joini Tutua, R. C. Joshi, Belden Taki, Shane Tutua, Michael Ho’ota, John Harunari, Edward Kingmele [CBE], and other MAL Senior Officers, and Pacific Countries Partners. Comments from JICA headquarters (Dr. Hideyuki Kanamori) are also acknowledged.
    Date: April 2010

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    This policy presents a framework to guide the development of the rice industry, with an aim to create more rural employment opportunities and bring about improvements in the lives of the rural communities now and in the future. 

    Prepared by: Belden Taki, Dr. R.C. Joshi, Michael Ho’ota, John M. Harunari, Eddie Horiharuna, Patteson Akipu, Jimi Saelea, Edward Kingmele [CBE], Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Solomon Islands Government, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    Date: January 2010

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  • LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

    This paper contains a list of existing legislations and instruments for implementing Agricultural Policies, including the Constitution, Custom Act 1960, Cooperative Society Act 1953, Livestock Development Authority Act 1977, Agriculture Quarantine Act, Quarantine Order 1986, Handling of container rules 1994, Biosecurity Draft Bill 2008 etc.

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    An act to regulate the bee industry in Solomon Islands.

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  • USEFUL RESOURCES

    Click link to download the Pacific Agriculture Policy Program (PAPP) Inventory of national Agriculture/Forestry Policies: National Questionnaire.

    Prepared by: SPC PAPP
    Date: December 2014

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    Annual Report on the status of agriculture in the Solomon Islands, and an outline of the activities , achievements and financial expenditure of the Ministry in 2009.

    Prepared by: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: 2009

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  • KEY POLICIES

    This policy document serves as a “road map” and contains the strategic options for Agricultural Development in the Solomon Islands, including the National Development Framework, presenting the Policy Options for MAL’s core activities, cross sectoral services and sub sector specific policies.

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: 2009

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    The Solomon Islands Livestock Policy Guidelines 2015–2019 are still in draft format.
    This document is the 'Livestock Policy Guideline 2015-2020', it is based on the departments’ commitment with other stakeholders towards implementing the incumbent governments policy objectives and farmer demands through (i) Promoting effective livestock and veterinary services and (ii) Livestock subsector and industries support and development. This policy document is for the benefit of all farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, service providers, stakeholders, and MAL personnel involved livestock industry development

    Prepared by: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: 2015

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  • SUB SECTOR STRATEGIES

    Under Development

  • LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

    This Act provides for the control of experiments on animals, for any purpose including licenses, permits, records & inspections, revocation of license or permit and penalty.

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    This legal document provides for the protection and advancement of agricultural and livestock industries.

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    The Act contains the Authority’s regulatory and operational role for the improvement of the nutritional level and income of the people, in particular the rural areas, covering all aspects of livestock productivity and commercial development of its products and matters associated with it.

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  • USEFUL RESOURCES

    Under Development

  • KEY POLICIES

    Under Development

  • SUB SECTOR STRATEGIES

    Under Development

  • LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

    This Act is outlines the provisions for the prevention of introduction of pest and disease into Solomon Is through the importation of animals, plants and other things, requiring vessels and aircrafts to give notice of their arrivals and purposes.

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    This legal document includes the scope, administration procedures, general provisions, and items subject to quarantine including measures, detention segregation, protection, treatment, sanitary regulation and disinfection of vessels, pests and diseases affecting persons and goods.

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  • USEFUL RESOURCES

    Under Development

  • KEY POLICIES

    This policy paper presents a framework to guide and enhance the Agriculture Extension Services, to be able to embrace for the ever changing needs of the farmers, create a conducive environment for development in rural communities, ensuring economic stability, food sovereignty and improved rural livelihoods.

    Prepared by: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Date: June 2011

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  • SUB SECTOR STRATEGIES

    Under Development

  • Research & Development

    Under Development

  • KEY POLICIES

    This policy guides planners to make assessments, identify adaptation strategies that will enable the Solomon Is communities to become more resilient in coping with forces of climate change, improve the agricultural production , plan for future developments and ensure infrastructure is built in the correct locations with an aim of  contributing to overall economic well-being.

    Produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
    Prepared by: Dr Julian Prior
    Date: June April 2015

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  • SUB SECTOR STRATEGIES

    Under Development

  • LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

    Under Development

  • USEFUL RESOURCES

    Under Development

  • KEY POLICIES

    This Policy Strategy is a living document that hopes to redefine the norms and lives of Solomon Island societies, to live and enjoy a meaningful life for all persons. This will be achieved through the implementation of this strategy via fundamental cluster reforms in the Productive Sector, Development and Resource Sector and Social sector.

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    This statement, reflects the current government’s key manifestos, commitment and recognition of the need to adopt a more comprehensive policy planning system, together with necessary sector reforms, which are in line with the principles of good governance. This has been carried out to ensure fair and equitable distribution of goods and services and to ensure access to equal opportunities for the people of the Solomon Islands.

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  • SUB SECTOR STRATEGIES

    The forest policies and key implementation strategies adopted by the Solomon Island Government are outlined in this document. Some implementation strategies support more than one of the stated forest policies.

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  • LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS

    The Act outlines arrangements for the Environmental Health Sector including the duties and delegation of the Minister, general provisions of protection, financial, enforcement and prosecutions associated with this sector.

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  • USEFUL RESOURCES

    The issue of youth engagement in the agricultural sector strikes the heart of a very difficult issue. In the Pacific region, youth unemployment is significant. Coupled with low economic growth, limited job creation and opportunities in the formal sector for youth, the engagement of young people in the agricultural sector would seem a solution for many. Yet the contribution of agriculture to GDP is less than 3% in most Micronesian countries, less than 10% in most Polynesian countries, and less than 20% in most Melanesian countries.

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Solomon Islands Agriculture Statistics at a glance

Solomon Islands GDP Statistics
Solomon Islands Agriculture Statistics

Solomon Islands Key Commodities

subsistence

Subsistence

About 80% of people rely on subsistence agriculture for food both for household consumption and to support living standards through selling of excess products in local markets.

This consists of yams, bananas, taro, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and livestock for cultural and social obligations.

commercial

Commercial

A fast growing sector centered on:

  • Coffee
  • Cocoa
  • Coconut
  • Kava

Niche crops such as vanilla and spices are growing steadily

commercial

Large Plantations

Palm oil and coconut dominates this sector.

Where can I get Technical support for agriculture?

  • Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock
    Ph: (677) 22143, 22144/22145
    Fax: : (677) 28365
    Hibiscus Avenue
    P. O. Box G13
    Honiara, Solomon Islands

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
    Ph: (677) 22-143 / 28-615
    Fax: (677) 28-365
    P. O. Box G13
    Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]

  • Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening
    Ph: (677) 28-606 / 21-072
    Fax: (677) 28-708
    P.O. Box 35, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]

  • Ministry of Development Planning & Aid Coordination
    Ph: (677) 28-608 / 38-336 Fax: (677) 30-163 / 30-490
    P.O. Box G30, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]

  • Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration
    Ph: (677) 22-856 / 25-045
    Fax: (677) 25-084
    P.O. Box G26, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]
    http://www.commerce.gov.sb/ | http://www.investsolomons.gov.sb/

  • Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey
    Ph: (677) 22750 / 26-240
    Fax: (677) 21-514
    P.O. Box G38, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]

  • Ministry of Infrastructure Development
    Ph: (677) 28-605 / 25-641
    Fax: (677) 28-705
    P.O. Box G8, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]

  • Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs
    Ph: (677) 23-547 / 23-544
    Fax: (677) 23534
    P.O. Box G39, Honiara, Solomon Islands
    E-mail: [email protected]

  • Ministry of Rural Development
    Ph: (677) 25-238 / 25-239
    Fax: (677) 22-170
    P.O. Box 1983, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Where can I get Financial support for agriculture?

  • Bank of South Pacific Limited
    Ph: (677) 21874
    Mendana Avenue
    PO Box 37, Honiara
    Solomon Islands
    Email: [email protected]

  • Westpac Bank
    Ph: (677) 21222
    Fax: (677) 23419
    National Provident Fund Building
    721 Mendana Avenue, Honiara

  • ANZ
    Ph: (677) 21111
    Fax: (677) 22957
    ANZ Haus
    Point Cruz, Mendana Avenue
    P.O. Box 10, Honiara
    Solomon Islands

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