RSDP invests $1.5M into West Are’are Constituency seaweed farming initiative to boost production
The People’s Republic of China-funded Rural Sustainable Development Program (RSDP) continues to make significant impact in rural communities, with West Are’are Constituency the latest to receive project support worth SBD $1.5 million to boost seaweed farming production in the constituency.
The support was provided in the form of project goods and materials, which the constituency office will deliver directly to seaweed farmers to increase production and sustain their livelihoods.
Goods procured include; 15 boats, 15 OMBs, 600 rolls of 6mm seaweed ropes, 600 rolls of 2mm seaweed ropes, 21 rolls of seaweed net, 21 rolls of seaweed plastic, and many more essential seaweed farming materials to support farmers in their farming activities.
This significant investment is part of PRC’s ongoing commitment through RSDP to sustainable development and empowering communities through strategic investments that drive long-term prosperity and self-sufficiency.
The project goods and materials were received by the Member of Parliament for WAC, Honourable John Maneniaru, from the Chinese Embassy representative in Solomon Islands, Counsellor Li Qinghua, during a small but significant handover ceremony held in Honiara on 23 December 2025.
During the handover ceremony, Hon. Maneniaru expressed profound gratitude to PRC for the generous support.
“This generous assistance is indeed a boost for our seaweed farming initiative and will definitely enable our communities of West Are’are to expand their seaweed farming activities, which are vital for their social and economic livelihoods.
“This support also represents and manifests the true relationship between our two nations and peoples,” he said.
Hon. Maneniaru acknowledged that he was pleased with the decision he and his constituency office made to invest the entire amount of funding into seaweed farming activities because it goes directly to the people, marking a way forward toward sustainable growth and self-reliance.
“We look forward to continued cooperation and further collaborative efforts with the PRC to truly elevate seaweed farming to the next level like going into processing and refining to help secure better prices for our farmers.
“I believe we have the capacity to consult, work together, and determine the best path forward to achieve our shared goals,” Hon. Maneniaru stressed.
Meanwhile, Counsellor Li Qinghua from the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands reiterated in her remarks that the handover marks a new chapter of practical cooperation between the PRC and the Solomon Islands under the new phase of RSDP.
Ms. Li stated that, as a partnership between the PRC and the people of the Solomon Islands, the main purpose of RSDP is to improve social and economic development in the country.
Counsellor Li further highlighted China’s ongoing dedication to supporting rural development initiatives in the Solomon Islands.
She also stressed China’s commitment to providing capacity-building and training opportunities for the constituencies of the Solomon Islands, with the primary goal of transferring knowledge—an effort aimed at empowering the country to achieve development and prosperity.
She commended Hon. Maneniaru and the WAC office for the efforts in supporting seaweed farming in the constituency and for touching rural lives—a strategic path that PRC is pleased to support through RSDP to alleviate poverty and ensure a better quality of life for all.
“Because most of the population—about 80 percent—live in rural areas, development in new areas is very important, and I am glad to learn that the constituency office has already taken the lead in changing lives in your constituency.
“…China’s achievement in lifting 800 million people out of poverty is based on accurately analyzing the local conditions of each village and adopting the most practical and suitable methods for each village to improve their livelihoods. Sharing is caring, and so we also look forward to sharing China’s experience in poverty alleviation with the Solomon Islands,” Ms. Li underscored.
“I firmly believe that with the support from the government and the people of the Solomon Islands, we can turn poverty alleviation into reality.”
Speaking on behalf of the government, John Misite’e, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), acknowledged PRC for its unwavering commitment and support toward the RSDP and the improvement of the lives of the people of the Solomon Islands.
PS Misite’e also acknowledged the trust PRC has placed in MRD to effectively implement the partnership program.
He also thanked suppliers for their continued support in delivery and the constituency offices for their collaboration with the government in implementing projects and supporting rural communities over the years.
The RSDP is a partnership program between PRC and the SIG. Since 2023, China has been actively supporting the RSDP, which is proposal-based and implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development in partnership with the Chinese Embassy.
The program aligns with China’s broader Global Development Initiative, including the Belt and Road Initiative, and supports Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2035.
The RSDP primarily targets rural and semi-urban communities, aiming to improve social and economic infrastructure, promote income-generating activities, and address issues such as food security and climate resilience.
– MRD Press
