Twenty-one form 5 agriculture students from Gizo Community High School in Western Province have gained first-hand experience in organic farming and aquaponics through a one-day “Look and Learn” workshop at the WorldFish Nusatupe Innovation Hub.
The training on Friday, held under the Island Food Systems programme, introduced students to sustainable farming methods aimed at strengthening food and nutrition security in Solomon Islands.
Accompanied by three agriculture teachers, the students took part in practical activities such as planting, mulching, and compost turning at the Hub’s demonstration garden.
The site showcases how organic agriculture and small-scale aquaculture can be applied even on low-lying islands where farming is often challenging.
During the session, students also observed aquaponics, a closed-loop system that combines fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation, and learned about Black Soldier Fly composting, which transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Key topics covered included:
– Composting and organic fertiliser production
– Soil health and ecological pest management
– Climate-resilient traditional crops
– The link between agriculture, nutrition, and public health
Mrs. Nancy Piosasa, Agriculture teacher at Gizo CHS, described the initiative as transformative.
“Experiential learning like this is invaluable. It reinforces classroom theory and encourages students to see agriculture as vital for community resilience and sustainable development,” she told Solomon Star.
WorldFish Nusatupe Hub Lead, Dr. Gregory Bennett, told Solomon Star that more training opportunities will be offered to schools in the coming months.
“These may focus on backyard gardening, Black Soldier Fly composting, coral restoration, community-based resource management, or seaweed farming,” he said, encouraging interested schools to participate.
“I strongly encourage teachers from nearby islands who are interested in giving their students this kind of experience to get in touch with us,” Dr. Benneth added.
Student representative Miss Relinta Naqu said the group returned to Gizo with renewed enthusiasm.
“We are eager to share this knowledge with our schools, families, and communities to support sustainable agriculture and better nutrition,” she said.
The Island Food Systems programme, led by WorldFish in collaboration with partners, continues to work with communities across Western Province to revitalise traditional agricultural knowledge, enhance technical capacity, and empower youth through education and skills development.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
