SEAWEED farmers in Wagina, South Choiseul, celebrated a major village achievement this week.
Last October, they created history when they produced 50 tonnes of seaweed in a month, achieving the target they’ve been aiming for since going into seaweed farming.
That achievement was celebrated on Monday.
With a population of 4,000, Wagina first ventured into seaweed farming in 2002.
The seaweed was first tried at Rarumana in Western Province before it was taken to Wagina.
It is nine years now since the community undertook that project.
Wagina Seaweed Project is assisted under a European Union funded project called Commercialisation of Seaweed Production in Solomon Islands (COSPSI).
Wagina provincial member, Peter Totobiru said the people of Wagina perceived seaweed as an alternative source of income generation.
Mr Totobiru said although seaweed farmers of Wagina encountered difficulties, the project is bringing benefits.
“The production of 50 tonnes of seaweed is a major achievement that shows the hard work and commitment of each individual,” Mr Totobiru said.
He added the villagers obtained maximum benefit from the project.
Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Sylvester Diake congratulated people of Wagina for the achievement.
Mr Diake encouraged the seaweed farmers to continue produce more seaweed that can be exported overseas.
He said seaweed is a major resource that can boost the country’s exports.
Mr Diake added that the ministry will continue to promote seaweed farming for the benefit of rural people.
Antonia Lee of Solomon Seaweed, whose company involves in buying and exporting of the product, said seaweed is a potential export commodity.
Mr Lee buys seaweed from the people of Wagina.
He said without the government and EU support, the seaweed farming project in Wagina would have never reach its target.
Mr Lee advised Wagina seaweed farmers to be aware of international market forces, as Solomon Islands is just one of the players in seaweed production.
European Union representative Peter Radish told the villagers EU funding for the seaweed project will end in September this year.
But he encourages the farmers to use the skills they’ve learned to continue their production.
Mr Radish also commended the people for their achievement in hitting the 50 tonnes in a month target.
He said with the skills they learned, the villagers can continue sea weed farming without the help of EU or the Ministry of Fisheries.
Other villagers involved in seaweed farming were in the Reef Islands and North Malaita.
Meanwhile in Rarumana, villagers there were reportedly reviving seaweed farming again, after the projects were disrupted by the 2007 tsunami.
By TRIXIE CARTER
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