Find Agriculture expertise in Solomon Islands
- Industry
- Development
Industry
Agriculture, together with forestry and fisheries, accounts for 28.3% of the Solomon Islands’ GDP (2010) and 3% of land is dedicated to agricultural use. The country’s agriculture exports amount to approximately $45 million, representing over 20% of total exports (2011). Among the country’s agricultural produce are cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, cattle, pork and fruit. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates there to be over 360,000 people involved in the country’s agricultural sector. Subsistence farming is common; most families keep a pig and grow bananas for home consumption. The country’s principal agricultural export products are copra (coconut by-product), palm oil, cocoa and fish and the main export partners are China, South Korea, Thailand and Japan. The government body responsible for the agricultural policy and the development of the country’s agricultural sector is the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Development
There is much interest in rural development in Solomon Islands, which includes agricultural development. The Rural Development Programme (RDP) aims to augment investment, both public and private, in rural areas, with a view to strengthening the rural economy and creating employment. The RDP is part of a longer term strategy which is designed to improve infrastructure and support for small and medium sized agricultural and rural businesses. It is expected that the RDP will affect the lives of over 300, 000 people in the country. The National Rice Development Program was set up in Solomon Islands in an attempt to decrease the large import bill from imported rice, which remains a national staple. The aim of the initiative is to re-establish rice farming on the island of Guadalcanal, but has been met with some opposition from those who favour the production of native crops.
| Agriculture organisations in Solomon Islands | |
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| Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock |
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