International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has supported the implementation of 18 projects in Solomon Islands with a total cost US$ 117.1 m, (IFAD US$ 28.4m).
The collaboration with the Solomon Islands Government and other development partners started since 1981.
FD Country Director and representative for Pacific Island Countries, Candra Samekto confirmed this during the launch of the Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) project on Monday.
The launched happened during the opening of the AIM-N five days workshop at Mendana, Honiara.
Samekto said IFAD continues to support the Government in building resilient rural livelihoods through multi-country and regional programmes:
- Melanesia Rural Market & Innovation-Driven Development Programme (MERMAID)
- Pacific Islands Rural and Agriculture Stimulus Facility (PIRAS)
- Joint Programme Rural Women Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE)
- Farmers’ Organization for Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (FO4ACP)
He said the just concluded projects are:
- The RDP II, jointly financed with the World Bank, and Australian Government, & EU closed in 2022 benefited 99,369 members of rural farming households.
- The Driving Delivery of Results in the Agriculture Sector initiative closed in November 2023 delivering vital relief to 40,000 households during covid and established Honiara’s first resident database.
He said IFAD President visited the country in March 2024.
“IFAD president met the PM and reaffirmed to that IFAD remains strong development partner to the Solomon Islands government in achieving the SDGs,” he said.
Samekto outlined IFAD’s comparative advantage in its vast experience in:
- promoting pro-poor agricultural development and rural transformation with a focus on inclusion,
- community development, and the sustainable growth of climate-resilient smallholders.
“The impact of climate change on our islands is undeniable. Rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and increased frequency of extreme climate events threaten our way of life, our food systems, and our very existence.
“Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like ours are vulnerable to shocks and on the frontlines of this global crisis. Yet, we also know that within these challenges lies the opportunity to innovate, adapt, and lead,” he said.
Samekto said IFAD’s support for SIDS has always been rooted in our understanding of these unique challenges and our commitment to turning adversity into opportunity.
“But we cannot achieve these goals alone. The partnerships that we build are crucial to our success.
“IFAD is proud to collaborate with the Governments, Farmer Organization, development partners and the many stakeholders represented here today. It is through these partnerships that we can achieve lasting change, empowering our farmers, strengthening our communities, and securing a brighter future for our islands,” he said.
IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialised agency of the United Nations that works to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. It is the only multilateral development organization that focuses solely on rural economies and food security.
IFAD is involved in over 200 projects across nearly 100 countries.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
