New policies help smallholder farmers

Ready access to land, labour and credit are the basic resources necessary for farming. And choosing the right type of farming is dependent on how land can be accessed, what labour is available (family or hire), and what assets the farmer has to obtain credit. Government services through research and extension departments of ministries of…

PEC fund coordinators meet in Palau to discuss projects

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund is hosting the first ever meeting of regional PEC Fund coordinators from 15-17th July 2014 in Koror, Palau. With 13 Forum Island Countries’ PEC Fund Project Coordinators in attendance, the meeting will focus on knowledge sharing as well as discussions on strengthening the sustainability of…

Saipan will ship cattle to Guam

A rancher on Saipan is expected to ship this week 12 head of cattle to Guam, Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios disclosed last week. In an interview, Palacios told reporters that CNMI veterinarian Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz has started the vaccination and testing to prepare the cattle for shipment.  He…

Kahui commends market project

A Honiara resident has commended the Honiara City Council (HCC) in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO) for the initiative taken to improve the environment of the Honiara central market as a tobacco, betel nut and alcohol free environment. Hendry Kahui said its a great idea as part of making positive progress for the city.…

ADB assist Kiribati in USP upgrade

The Government of Kiribati, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) participated in a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday to officially mark the first step toward upgrading the USP’s Tarawa Campus, which will boost students’ access to higher education.   The President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, delivered the keynote speech at the…

Fake council of chief

Dear Editor – Allow me space to respond in brief to the fake council of chief of east Rennell. The recent signatories by those whom claimed as chiefs of east Rennell against our proposed plan to the east Rennell is nothing more to compare as those in the signatory paper aren’t owned any portion of…

Criticism against Renbel

Dear Editor – Please allow me space to respond to so many Rennell and Bellona critics in the papers, facebook, radio, phones and text massages concerning logging and prospecting in Rennell. On the outset, can I please ask critics to refrain from using des-respective languages as “stupid idiot”, “arrogant authority”, “cheap signatures”, etc, etc. We…

Don’t lose focus: Takayawa

FBC SPORTS —The 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Nacanieli Takayawa says Team Fiji should not lose sight of their goals when competing in their various events. Takayawa departed with the first batch of athletes for the games in Glasgow, Scotland on Tuesday and will serve as an official for Fiji’s lone judoka, Josateki Naulu. Takayawa…

A reply to William, chiefs

Dear Editor – Please allow me to reply to the letter from Mt William Ekotani published in your newspaper following my appeal to Edmond Sae to consider handing himself over to the appropriate authorities. Firstly, I apologise to William and the East Kwara’are chiefs if it was incorrectly judged that my appeal to Edmond Sae…